The Suva High Court has given State lawyers five days to produce the victim's statement in relation to the case of attempted murder and alleged rape of a class three student.
This is after State Lawyer, Paulini Madanavosa asked High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar for more time this morning.
The accused, twenty one year old Petero Bai is alleged to have assaulted the student before allegedly raping her about three months ago in the school toilet.
Madanavosa informed Justice Daniel Goundar that they were yet to take the statement from the victim as the Fiji Police Force Sexual Offences Unit needs to get training on ways to get the statement from a child.
Justice Goundar then asked Madanavosa as to why the Unit needed training now as it was part of their job description.
He informed Madanavosa to produce the statement by next Monday or the accused would be released on bail.
Meanwhile, Barbara Malimali who is representing Bai made an application in Court today requesting that her client be released on bail as he has been remanded in custody for a few months now.
Malimali also informed Judge Justice Gounder that the state has failed to produce the victim's statement yet again.
Justice Goundar in making his ruling on the matter told the two lawyers that he wants to fix a hearing date for the case, stressing that the victim's report plays a very crucial role in the case.
The matter has been adjourned until next Monday where the state has to produce the victim's report or Petero Bai will be released on bail.
Story by: Shalvin Deo
