A committal hearing will be conducted next month on a court case involving a man who allegedly defiled an eight year-old girl at Russell, Central Province early this year.
The accused’s lawyer Chris Rarumae from the Public Solicitor’s Office opted for a short form preliminary inquiry that only required the tendering of documents relevant to the case.
After taking his not guilty pleas before Principal Magistrate Shepherd Lapo, the accused was further remanded in custody awaiting the committal hearing on September 1.
If the court finds enough evidence against the accused, he will be committed to stand trial in the High Court, but in a case there is insufficient evidence, the court will also make its ruling.
The accused from Central Province allegedly have sex with the eight year-old girl on January 5, this year at Russell.
He was charged with one count of defilement of a girl under 13 years of age, which carries the maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Crown Prosecutor Maito’o Hauirae represents the State.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
