Detectives from the Sexual Assault Unit have arrested a man from Piava Village, Gatokae Island in the Marovo Lagoon for allegedly raping a girl believed to be aged between 10 and 12 years old from the same village.
Police investigations indicated that the victim was under the care of the accused, a man in his 40s, when the incident happened.The incident allegedly occurred on 20th February this year but was only reported to police on the 2nd of March. Detectives immediately launched an investigation into the incident.
The accused was tracked down by the detectives and was subsequently apprehended on the following day near his home village in the Marovo lagoon, Western Province. He was brought back to Honiara on the same day.
The accused was charged with rape and is currently remanded in custody. He is expected to appear at the Honiara Magistrate's Court on 18 March 2011.