Grandfather’s trial ends

The trial at the Waigani National Court against a grandfather from Abau in the Central Province came to an end today.

The trial started on Tuesday and all evidence came to an end at 11:20 today after lawyers for the accused and the State made submissions of verdict.

The man stood trial over allegations he sexually assaulted a minor two years ago at Nine-Mile in Port Moresby.

He pleaded not guilty which prompted a trial to take place.

The victim who is now 11 years old was the first witness called by the State who gave evidence in camera (a closed, private court session).

A medical worker also gave evidence. The accused and his daughter were the only witnesses called by defence lawyers.

 Justice Nicholas Kirriwom reserved his decision after the completion of the trial today.

It is the State's allegation that the man, who was seen as a grandfather to the victim and her other siblings, sexually touched her while she was sleeping.

The victim was nine years old at the time of the alleged offence.

This allegedly took place on the morning of March 20, 2015, between 5 and 5:30.

The victim and the accused were sleeping in the living room, where he pushed his hands into her shorts and touched her genitals. An act of penetration was also alleged to have taken place.

She later woke up and told her mother what had happened.

The accused denied it when questioned by the mother of the victim that morning and also denied the allegations in court.

Author: 
Sally Pokiton