Police have arrested and charged a 43 year old man of Lau for allegedly indecently assaulting and attempting to rape a 12 year old student over the weekend.

The man who was related to the girl's family was staying with the family when he allegedly indecently assaulted her and on one occasion he also attempted to rape her.

According to police the matter was reported to police when the victim's cousin caught the man in the bathroom attempting to rape her.

The man is alleged to have threatened the girl before the incidents.

He is now in the custody of the Sigatoka Police.