22 Apr 2005

PNG man sentenced for rape

3:35 pm on 22 April 2005

A Papua New Guinea man has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for raping his own daughter.

The National newspaper reports that the incest case was however presented in the Goroka Court as an ordinary rape case to enable the accused to suffer a higher penalty.

In November 2003, Lucas Benjamin Urareo of East New Britain threatened to smash a cup over the head of his 14-year-old daughter, before forcing her onto her bed and raping her.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In making his ruling, Justice George Manuhu said that raping one's own daughter was worse than ordinary rape; it was immoral and offensive to God.