Rape Accused bailed
A rape accused was bailed for a bond of $500 in the High Court in Suva yesterday.
The accused pleaded not guilty to one count of rape.
He is alleged to have had sex with a 15-year-old complainant without her consent.
The alleged incident happened on April 12, 2018, in Lami.
State lawyer Sujata Lodhia said according to the complainant, she was in a boyfriend and girlfriend relationship with the accused.
However, this was denied by the accused who said that they were only friends.
Ms Lodhia said there was likelihood that the charge would be reduced to defilement. She also stated that the state was not objecting to the accused’s bail provided that he had two sureties who would vouch for him in court.
Legal Aid Commission lawyer Lavinia David said they had filed and served his bail application on May 16, 2018.
The accused’s landlord was present in court to sign for him as a surety. Judge Justice Daniel Goundar advised the surety that it was his duty to ensure that the accused does not contact the complainant at any time and reports to the Lami Police Station on Saturdays between 6am to 6pm.
The accused was ordered not to change his residential address and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
The case has been adjourned to June 15, 2018, for mention. Edited by Caroline Ratucadra
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