Man in Court over unlawful sexual connection

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 03 October 2017, 12:00AM

A man accused of unlawful sexual connection, indecent assault and rape in relation to his wife’s younger sisters appeared in the Supreme Court yesterday.

The man, whose name is suppressed to protect the identity of his alleged victims, is facing 46 sexual related charges, including unlawful sexual connection, rape and indecent assault. 

The incidents are alleged to have occurred in 2015 on several occasions.

At the time, the girls were 13 and 15 years old. 

The assessors trial started yesterday with the first victim taking the stand. 

Justice Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren is presiding. Prosecuting is Leone Su’a-Mailo, of the Attorney General’s Office.

The defendant is standing in prose. 

A separator was arranged by the Court between the accused and the alleged victim.

The younger victim struggled on the stand as she attempted to retell what happened.

The Supreme Court was then forced to take a 10 minute recess for the victim to contain herself.

“The first incident occurred under an ifi tree,” said the first victim. 

“I don’t recall the exact date but I remember it was the beginning of the year.”

According to the young girl, she and her older sister had sex with the defendant under the ifi tree.  

The Prosecutor inquired as to the whereabouts of the mother at the time of the alleged incident and the victim said she was at the hospital. 

The Court heard from the first victim the second incident occurred not long after and this time it was at their house. 

“I was sleeping when he woke me up and instructed me to take off my clothes and then I was instructed to sit on his chest,” said the victim. 

The victim said after the alleged sexual events the defendant instructed her to go back to sleep. The hearing continues.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 03 October 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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