A HIGH Court trial was postponed yesterday because the State prosecution could not get the witnesses to court because of transport constraints.
As a result, the trial in which the accused was alleged to have raped a woman on the island of Vanuabalavu in the Lau Group, has now been adjourned to August next year.
The State prosecution told the court they could not get the witnesses, including the alleged victim, to Viti Levu for the trial in time because flights from the island were fully booked.
The court was told the next available seat on the weekly air service from the island was on December 3. As such, the prosecution said they would not be able to proceed without the victim’s evidence.
The defence then suggested that the witnesses could travel on a Government vessel departing the island today and arriving on Sunday.
Justice Prabaharan Kumararatnam said he had a very tight schedule as his last day in court would be on December 19 and he would not be able to accommodate a trial within the time frame.
He said a long adjournment would be given so the State could facilitate the travel of the witnesses.
The defence said the accused had no objection to the postponement of the trial, which would be held in August next year.
