Lawyers Given Time To Finalise Pretrial Conference Checklist In Ex-Cop’s Rape Case

The High Court in Lautoka has given the prosecution and defence lawyers more time yesterday to finalise the pre-trial conference checklist.

This is in the case of former Police officer Brian Ravatudei, who is charged with rape.

This was after the defence changed its stance on the admitted facts for the case where only two facts were agreed to.

The matter was heard before Justice Riyaz Hamza. Ravatudei was represented by Samuela Heritage of Iqbal Khan and Associates while the prosecution was represented by Alvin Singh.

It is alleged that Ravatudei barged into a female Police officer’s room in September 2021 while intoxicated and committed the offence.

Mr Singh told the court the state initially received correspondence from Iqbal Khan and Associates on March 15, agreeing to certain facts and the state prepared the pre-trial conference checklist and admitted facts according to this.

The court heard that prosecution then received a second correspondence from Iqbal Khan and Associates on May 31, stating the change in the stance because it was only agreeing to two facts.

Mr Singh requested for the defence to confirm its position on the admitted facts.

Justice Hamza warned the defence to be careful about the admitted facts because it was an important document that was both agreed on by the prosecution and defence.

The matter was adjourned to July 29, for both counsels to finalise and file the pre-trial conference checklist.

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