A 20 year old youth is currently in police custody for allegedly raping a 13 year old girl on New Year’s Day in a village in Serua.

Police confirm that the suspect has been charged and is expected to appear in court tomorrow.

It is alleged that the victim was celebrating New Year when the accused, who was drunk at the time, dragged the victim to a nearby beach where he allegedly raped her.

When the victim’s family searched for the girl, they managed to apprehend the accused however the victim’s father requested the villagers not to take matters into their own hands as they wanted to assault the accused.

Police say when they arrived at the scene to take the accused away, he fled and was later arrested by some villagers near the grave yard. The accused alleged that he was assaulted before being handed over to police.