Man Pleads Not Guilty to Rape, Robbery, Intimidation Charges

A man charged with rape, sexual as­sault, robbery and criminal intimida­tion offences pleaded not guilty at the Suva High Court yesterday.

Savenaia Baleinadi appeared before Judge Justice Daniel Goundar.

He is charged with three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, one count each of assault causing actual bodily harm, robbery, damaging property and criminal intimida­tion.

It is alleged that on January 17, 2019, in Tamavua, Suva, the accused raped and sexu­ally assaulted the complainant.

It is also alleged that on the same day, the ac­cused robbed the complainant, damaged her property, assaulted her by punching her face and body, and threatened to kill and burn the complainant’s house.

State prosecutor Meli Vosawale told the court that there were admissions in the cau­tion interview on some of the offences.

Defence lawyer had sought for 14 days to file for voir dire grounds and told the court that they will be challenging the caution inter­view.

The matter was adjourned for pre-trial con­ference and to fix the trial date to May 1.

The accused was further remanded in cus­tody.

Edited by Susana Tuilau

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