The mother of the nine-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped in Nakasi last year in July, took the witness stand today.

The accused in this trial is 31-year-old Ilaitia Nalawa, who pleaded not guilty to rape, assault with intent to commit rape, theft and burglary.

The mother recalls the morning the offence took place.

At 3pm on the day of the offence, the witness was waiting for her daughter near the roadside with her son. She saw students going home after school but could not see her daughter.

She highlighted in court that she became worried and at around 4:05pm when she saw her daughter walking home alone.

When she got closer, she saw her daughter’s face was swollen, her hair was messy and that she did not have her school bag and shoes with her.

She started crying and hugged her mother and she was bleeding.

The witness asked her daughter if a car had hit her. She disagreed stating that an iTaukei man punched her and pulled her into the bush.

The case continues in the Suva High Court.