A hearing for a 44-year-old man alleged to have abducted a teenage girl in Pacific Harbour in Navua in 2013 was vacated by the Suva Magistrates Court.

His trial was to begin yesterday; however, the hearing was vacated by Magistrate Bodaragama because Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili was on leave and would hear the case upon his return.

Mohammed Nazim Nur Ali appeared before Magistrate Asanga Bodaragama represented by defence lawyer Shelvin Singh.

Ali is charged with one count of abduction of a person under 18 years of age with intent to have carnal knowledge.

Between May 22, 2013, and June 23, 2013, allegedly with an intent that the 16-year-old unmarried girl being under the age of 18 years shall be unlawfully and carnally known by him, the accused allegedly took the complainant out of the possession and against the will of her father.

Ali denied the charge.

Four witnesses and a Police officer were present in court as State witnesses and were released from the Court and informed that they would be summoned for the next hearing date.

The case has been adjourned to February 13 to fix a new hearing date.

The accused’s bail was extended.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Farook Mohammed appeared for the Prosecution.

Edited by Mohammed Zulfikar

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