Samoa's court of appeal has quashed the convictions of a 19-year-old man convicted of abduction, indecent assault, and using threatening words with intent to commit sexual violation on an eight year old girl.
He had been sentenced by the Chief Justice to seven and a half years in prison.
The defendant filed an appeal on the grounds that the victim's identification of the accused as the offender was mistaken.
It also appealed that the trial judge erred in rejecting the alibi evidence given by the appellant and several supporting witnesses.
The appeal court ruled that after going through the trial records and the arguments on both sides, it has no option but to allow the appeal.
Court House Mulinuu Photo: RNZI Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
