THE trial of a 21 year-old man accused of committing an indecent act against an 11 year girl will start next Monday in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea will hear the trial.

During the final interim mention early this week, the court was informed that the defendant was not present, and the prosecution was directed to summon the defendant and the prosecution witnesses for the trial on May 5.

The defence counsel, however, will not be available as he will be attending a court circuit to Gizo, Western Province.

The Public Solicitor’s Office is yet to allocate the case to another lawyer.

DCM Iomea therefore adjourned the matter to May 5, stating that he will hear any application to vacate the trial if the defence decides to do so  on that date.

The trial was scheduled for 5 – 9 of May this year with the prosecution intending to call four witnesses.

The young man allegedly committed the indecent act offence on 20, August, 2024.

On the evening of that day, Prosecution alleged the victim, her brother, her aunt and uncle with their children including the defendant were having dinner at the victim’s uncle house.

After dinner, they were watching a movie on the defendant’s phone.

Whilst watching movie, the alleged victim fell asleep.

The victim’s brother woke up the alleged victim and told her to go and sleep upstairs in their dwelling house but the victim went and lay on their hammock under the house.

Not long, it was alleged the alleged victim fell asleep.

It was alleged that whilst she was sleeping on the hammock, the defendant came and lay beside her and allegedly indecently touched her.

When the victim woke up, the defendant bit her on her left side neck which caused injuries.

The matter was reported to the police by the alleged victim’s uncle and aunt.

By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN

Solomon Star, Honiara