DPP, Defence Lawyer To Sort Pre-Trial Matters

A 26-year-old man facing rape and abduction charges has been further remanded in custody by the High Court in Suva yesterday. Manasa Ratuloaloa ap­peared before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe.

Ratuloaloa is charged with one count each of abduction of a person under the age of 18 with intent to have carnal knowledge, wrongful confinement, indecently annoying any person, assault with intent to commit rape and one count of rape.

It is alleged that on January 25, Ratuloaloa offered the school student a ride and took her to Lakena Irrigation Road where he allegedly raped her.

The girl managed to fight her attacker off and freed her­self and it was alleged that the suspect then tried to run the victim over with his car.

The victim was eight years old at the time of the incident.

Defence lawyer from the Legal Aid Commission Lice Manulevu sought time to revisit the agreed facts.

Ms Manulevu also told the court that the second bail ap­plication was filed and sought time for the supplementary affidavit to be filed.

State prosecutor from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Susan Serukai sought time to meet the de­fence lawyer to sort out pre-trial matters before the trial proper began. The case was adjourned to April 10.

Edited by Susana Tuilau

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