THE case of a 43-year-old man, accused of exposing his genital to two girls aged 13 and 14 in Isabel Province in 2022, has been adjourned to June 9, for pre-trial conference.
This was after the prosecution confirmed that this offence is within the jurisdiction of the Magistrate’s Court.
The man, who cannot be named to protect the victims’ identities, previously pleaded not guilty to two counts of Indecent Act.
He is from another province but lives in Isabel.
Following his pleas on the last court date, his matter was adjourned for either a pre-trial conference or a committal hearing.
The prosecution and the defence was asked to determine whether this offence is triable in the Magistrate’s court or the High Court.
On Monday, Public Prosecutor Irene Mae confirmed to the court that a Principal Magistrate can hear a case that carries a maximum penalty of 14 years.
She added that this offence carries a maximum penalty of 7 years, meaning a Principal Magistrate can deal with this case.
The two charges relates to an allegation back in 2022 at a village in Isabel.
The two girls aged 13, and 14 were on their way to a Chief’s residence to wash their clothes when the defendant called out to them from a house.
They went to him and the defendant told them that after he finished drinking his tea, he will go watch porn and masturbate.
The girls allegedly told him off and that he should be ashamed of himself.
After that, the defendant then showed his genital to the two girls.
The girls were not happy with the defendant and they reported the incident to the police which resulted in the arrest of the defendant.
It was alleged that the defendant has been doing such indecent acts to several girls in the same village and also showed porn movies to young girls.
The Public Solicitor’s Office is representing the defendant while the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
