The Lorengau National Court has convicted a 29-year-old Pakistani refugee in Manus over sex crimes against a minor, which he committed in 2017.
On October 26th, 2018, Justice Iova Geita found Muhammad Hussain guilty on two counts of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl at a lodge in Lorengau on March 2, 2017.
This sex case is just one of those reportedly committed by refugees in Manus against under-aged girls.
While many have gone unreported, this is the first conviction against a refugee for sex crimes against children.
Muhammad Hussain, who was arrested for the offense on March 7 last year, and convicted on Thursday last week, is now awaiting sentence of the National Court for his actions.
The Pakistani is remanded in CS custody in Lorengau.
He was found guilty for sexually assaulting the 10-year-old girl before offering her money.
Manus Provincial Police Commander, Chief Inspector David Yapu, was pleased with the court decision and commended his CID officers for the good work in bringing the case to a successful ending.
Another refugee from Sri Lanka, who was arrested and charged for the assault of a Grade 9 student on January 17 last year at a hotel, hung himself at Lorengau General Hospital on October 2, a day before his trial in the National Court.