A 49-year-old accused of raping his 13-year-old niece in September is to retake his plea.
The accused appeared before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu in the High Court in Suva.
The man is charged with four counts of sexual assault and a count each of rape and indecent assault.
The court heard the victim had gone to the home of her uncle to return an item that belonged to his daughter.
There, the accused forcefully took her and committed the offences.
The matter was reported to the Vunidawa Police Station by the victim’s mother.
The Director of Public Prosecutions was scheduled to read the summary of facts before the court and for sentencing hearing. However, its lawyer said the particulars in the charge sheet had to be amended due certain issues which needed to be addressed before the summary of facts could be read.
The man’s mitigation and sentencing hearing will be deferred until a plea is taken.
The accused has been remanded in custody and the case adjourned to December 12.
