A 25-year-old school teacher has been remanded by the Magistrates Court in Nausori over the alleged sexual assault and rape of students at a school in Korovou, Tailevu.
The suspect appeared before Resident Magistrate Supreena Naidu this afternoon.
While being employed as a teaching trainee at the school, he is alleged to have sexually assaulted two students.
The first victim was between the ages of 10 to 14 years while the other was 17 years old.
He is charged with three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The Court has ordered the defence lawyer to make a formal bail application, which would be heard in the next hearing.
Magistrate Naidu said this was a serious offence and it is important to have all the information before making her ruling.
Police Inspector, Faroj Khan objected to bail because the victims still live in the same location as the suspect which places them in more danger should he be released.
Inspector Khan said the offence is indeed an indictable offence that should be dealt with at the High Court in Suva.
However, the defence lawyer told the Court that his client was a first offender who has not and would not have any issues of absconding bail.
He said they are willing to comply with the strict bail conditions set by the Court.
In response, Inspector Khan asked the Court to give them until Thursday to process the information well as they have only served partial disclosures.
He said after that, they are going to make a formal application to transfer this matter to the High Court which he suggested should hear the bail application ruling.
The matter has been adjourned to March 28 for a bail hearing.
