Court

Man charged with rape to take plea next month

February 2, 2019 8:23 am

A man facing several criminal offence charges will take his plea next month.

The thirty-seven-year-old man informed the High Court in Suva that he is a laborer and works for the Survivor Series in Kadavu.

Savanaia Baleinadi has been charged with five counts of rape, three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, and a count each of damaging property, criminal intimidation and robbery.

Article continues after advertisement

It is alleged he dragged a 57-year-old woman into a bush and raped her between January 7th and 17th, in Nasinu.

Baleinadi maintained his innocence, claiming that he did not rape the victim but only robbed her.

He further alleges that he only said yes to the offence of rape because of the alleged torture he received in the police station.

The state lawyer has sought 21 days to file information and disclosures.

He has been remanded and the case has been adjourned to March 5th , for plea.