Court finds pastor guilty of raping daughter,13

THE Waigani National Court has found a Pentecostal church pastor guilty of sexually touching and penetrating his biological daughter.

Justice Panuel Mogish last Friday handed down the verdict against the man from Northern after considering all the witnesses’ statements and submissions by counsels. The girl was 13 years old at the time of the offence.

Mogish said the first incident occurred in October 2010, when the accused touched her vagina inside her room at their home in Port Moresby.

In another incident, he did the same to her and touched her breast while her mother was away. And after a month, he sexually penetrated the girl.

In December of that year, the accused and the victim went for a church programme in Popondetta and lived in a guest house, where she was sexually penetrated.  

Mogish said the accused had admitted guilt for sexual touching but denied sexual penetration.  

He said when she was sexually abused, she informed her mother about it.

“I am satisfied that in more than one occasion you sexually abused the girl,” the judge told the accused. 

“I find you guilty.” Mogish, using his discretion, extended the bail for the accused until today for mention. 

He ordered the lawyer from Public Solicitor’s office representing the accused, who was not present last Friday, to be present on that time. The National