17-year-old charged with one count of defilement

A 17-year-old has been charged with one count of defilement after he was found with a young girl who was reported missing last week.

The teenager will be produced at the Lautoka Magistrates Court.

Chief of Intelligence and Investigations ACP Biu Matavou says despite the fact that the victim and accused were involved in a relationship, it must be noted that it is an offence to be with a person under the age of 18 years without the parent's consent and therefore one could face the possibility of being charged with abduction.

Matavou stressed that the incidents of young persons who have been reported missing and were later found with their partners needs to be addressed as it could turn an innocent time spent together to one with criminal implications.

Matavou says that parents and guardians need to be aware that if their children are involved in a sexual relationship and are under the age of 16, and in the event the Police are alerted that a crime is being committed, the possible charges could be defilement of children under 13 years or defilement of young persons between 13 and 16 years.