A man on trial for a rape he is accused of committing after he escaped from prison, has accepted advice from a judge that he needs a lawyer to represent him because of the seriousness of the charges he faces in Samoa.
Lauititi Tualima is standing trial this week on seven charges including rape, threatening to kill, possession of an unlawful weapon and breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime.
Tualima is accused of committing the crimes at one of the houses at the Lupesina Tree resort at Tiavi.
Treehouse at the Lupesina resort. Photo: RNZI / Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
An Australian was raped after the accused alledgedly tied the legs and hands of the victim's fiancee.
Police say the victim's hands were also tied at the time of the offence.
The case enters its second day where the court will find out if any lawyers want to represent Tualima.
He was on the run at the time of the attack which took place in the early hours of September 24 last year.
The prosecution has arranged for the victim and her fiancee's evidence to be heard through video link.
