Former teacher denies raping 6 pupils

Aformer school teacher yesterday denied raping, indecently and sexually assaulting six female students in a school in the Central Division.

He pleaded not guilty before Judge Justice Riyaz Hamza at the High Court in Suva yesterday.

The accused is being represented by defence lawyer Nemani Tuifagalele.

He pleaded not guilty to one count of rape, one count of sexual assault, three counts of indecent assault and two counts of indecently annoying any person.

On the fifth and sixth representative counts he was alleged to have unlawfully and indecently assaulted a student by fondling her breasts.

The incidents happened between May and August this year at which time he was also alleged to have intruded into the privacy of another complainant by hugging her from behind which offended her modesty.

On the seventh count he allegedly indecently annoyed a student on September 6 this year.

State lawyer Taitusi Tuenuku stated that there were no admission in the accused’s caution interview. He sought 14 days from the Court to suggest proposed agreed facts to the defence.

He also informed the Court that he was not objecting to the accused’s bail for the sole reason that the accused had submitted in his bail application that he was willing to move away from the village where the complainants live. Justice Hamza told Mr Tuenuku to get the investigating officer to put the information in writing and submit it to the Court for his consideration.

He said the Court was not inclined to grant bail because of the nature of the allegations.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa.