The first prosecution witness in Reverend Epeli Ratabacaca’s trial was today cross examined by the defense lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo.
The woman told High Court Judge Justice Paul Madigan that when she told her husband about the alleged incident, his faced changed so she got scared and said that she was joking.
Vosarogo highlighted that the matter was reported to police more than 20 days after the alleged incident.
She also told court that on 23rd June last year, she booked a hotel room under her name as she was given money by Reverend Ratabacaca.
An invoice was presented in court today stating that the checkout was on the following day however the witness told the court that they checked out on the same afternoon.
This was a day after she alleged she was sexually abused.
She said she did not call Reverend Ratabacaca from the hotel and did not complain to him that her husband used to beat her up.
She also confirmed in court that she met Ratabacaca after he returned from New Zealand.
The woman’s husband is currently giving evidence in court.
Reverend Ratabacaca is charged with one count of indecent assault and two counts of rape.
He has pleaded not guilty.
Story by: Ronal Deo & Sneh Chaudhry