A Pastor’s son from a church in Nasinu, who is facing rape charges, has been granted bail by the High Court in Suva.

Meli Kenawai, in his mid-20s, appeared before Justice Daniel Goundar yesterday.

He is charged with three counts of rape, three counts of attempted rape and three counts of sexual assault.

The accused in 2017 allegedly raped two boys in Nasinu.

The complainants in the matter were 14 and 15 years of age at the time of the incident.

Plea

Kenawai earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court heard that the accused had been remanded in custody since October 2018.

Justice Goundar said the complainants and the accused were not related and the complainants were members of the congregation of the church pastored by the accused’s father.

However, they were no longer the members of the congregation. Justice Goundar granted bail to  the accused with two sureties and a bail bond of $500 each.

He ordered the accused to reside at a fixed address, remain on good behaviour, not to obtain any travel documents and report to the Valelevu Police Station in Nasinu every Saturday between 6am and 6pm.

Justice Goundar transferred the matter for trial proper before Justice Riyaz Hamza.

The matter was adjourned to May 6 for pre-trial conference and to fix a trial date.

Edited by Epineri Vula