A 70 year-old man is in police custody after he was implicated in a rape case involving a 10 year-old girl on an island in Lau over the weekend.

The matter was reported to police by the victim's father who witnessed the alleged incident.

It is alleged that the victim was sent by her father to get something from their house.

Whilst the victim was searching for the item, the 70 year-old suspect entered and allegedly raped the victim.

There have been 50 cases of rape so far this year compared to 26 last year.

There was one case in the Central Police Division, Northern Division recorded 13, Eastern Division had 12, Southern Division recorded 12 while the Western Division also recorded 12.

Story by: Ronal Deo