Accused robber charged with rape [1]
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 - 12:00
One of the five men charged with robbery at a home in Sopu on 11 June has been additionally charged with the rape and indecent assault of a woman occupant.
Tonga Police said today the accused in their mid-20's were initially charged with conspiracy to commit robbery following their arrest on 8 July.
They had now been charged with a second count of robbery each. One man faced another two counts of rape and indecent assault of the woman occupant, who was home alone when they allegedly committed the robbery.
The accused remains in custody and is expected to appear at the Nuku’alofa Magistrate’s Court this week.
Robbery
Police had said earlier that the incident occurred between 2:00-3:00am on Wednesday, June 11 at the home where the male suspects broke into the house with their faces covered up with clothing. The woman in her 40’s was sleeping. It is alleged they tied her up while the robbery took place and one of the suspects is alleged to have raped her before they fled with stolen items that included $2,000 pa’anga cash, two flat TV screens and liquor bottles.