Trial For Alleged Rapist Dad Begins In Labasa

The trial of a father, who allegedly raped his biological daughter and now facing five counts of rape, began at the High Court in Labasa yesterday.

The father represented by Legal Aid Commission lawyers Sharmila Devi and Kalesi Marama appeared before Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe.

State lawyer Amelia Vavadakua informed three assessors that representative count of rape meant the accused raped the victim more than once.

The first incident allegedly happened between January 2012 to December 2012 in the Northern Division when the victim was below the age of 13.

The second incident allegedly happened between January 2014 to December 2014.

For the third count the incident allegedly happened in November 2015 at Levuka.

The fourth incident allegedly happened in December 2015 at Savusavu and for the last count between April to August in 2016.

The complainant, who is now  an 18-year-old took the witness box.

The teenager told the court that she was brought up by her maternal grandparents.

She further stated the alleged incidents happened during the school holidays and weekends when she visited her parents.

The trial will continue today.

Edited by Susana Tuilau

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