Guilty plea on one count thrown out

Man, 21, was then released on bail on the sum of $500 with two sureties

Aman’s guilty plea to a count of defilement was refused on Wednesday by a High Court Judge in Suva because of the contradicting plea from the defence lawyer and the accused.

The 21-year-old man, who is charged with three counts of defilement, pleaded not guilty to two counts, but guilty to one only.

However, the defence lawyer from the Legal Aid Commission told the court her instructions were that the accused would plead not guilty to all the charges.

That did not go well for Justice Daniel Goundar, who said he would not accept the accused’s guilty plea since there were contradicting instructions. He then gave time to the defence to consult the accused regarding to his plea.

State prosecutor from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) Sadaf Shameem told the

court the matter was reported after the complainant fell pregnant at the age of 16 as the result of the alleged incidents. She gave birth last year. The accused was then released on bail on the sum of $500 with two sureties.

The complainant fell pregnant at the age of 16 as the result of the alleged incidents

Justice Goundar also ordered the accused not to contact the complainant, not to interfere with any of the prosecutions witnesses and reside at a fixed address.

He also ordered the accused not to obtain any travelling documents and he must maintain good behaviour. The matter was adjourned to July 8 for mention.

The complainant in this case is related to the accused. The alleged incidents happened between December 2016 and February 2017, at the complainant’s home in Nasinu.

Edited by Naisa Koroi