The Vanuatu Issue Nº 460
Independent
L’IND EP EN DA N T
December 8 - 14, 2012
Foundation Committee Inc.
DU
news@independent.vu
VANUATU
250XPF (Noumea)
One of the ‘best of the best’
t 50 V 1 Y ONL
THE Havannah resort in North Efate has again been named a finalist in the prestigious Conde Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence. Condé Nast Johansens, the international luxury travel guide, announced the winners of the 2013 Awards for Excellence, with those winners chosen as the top properties within their regions. This year The Havannah was named as finalist for Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway and Most Excellent Small Resort in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific Islands. Travel experts said this is a major achievement for The Havannah as the only Vanuatu property featured and one of only two in the entire Pacific region. They said it is even more commendable when The Havannah competed against resorts in the Caribbean, given the size and investment in these properties. Continued Page 2
Rape couple pleads guilty to multiple sex charges
by Richard Michael A SEXUAL predator who raped six female teenagers with the help of his wife pleaded guilty in Supreme Court this week. His wife also pleaded guilty. Jacob Tavorvor enlisted his wife Mary’s support in the ongoing abuse as she helped her husband by luring the teenage girls to him before he raped them while she sat nearby. This case reaches its final stages as figures have been released showing sexual offences against children under 16 have increased by 40 per cent in Vanuatu
INSIDE
this year (see report Page 2). The Erromango couple in this case were originally charged with 42 counts of sexual intercourse without consent, contrary to section 97, unlawful sexual intercourse contrary to section 90 (a), aiding and abetting contrary to section 30, aggravated sexual assault with a child contrary to section 97 (1), threat to kill contrary to section 115, act of indecency against young people against section 98 (i) and (ii), all in the Penal Code Act CAP 135. But the prosecution this week dropped five counts each of acts of indecency, while
the couple pleaded guilty to one count each. Jacob Tavorvor pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual intercourse without consent. Mary pleaded guilty to six counts of aiding and abetting while five more counts of the same charge were dropped. The prosecution also wiped out all seven counts of unlawful sexual intercourse laid against Jacob. He pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent additionally with a count of threats to kill. The matter was set down for trial next
Kilman still ‘unbeatable’
Rallye qui devient élégant et féminin
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early next year. The couple appeared in the court before more than 50 people, with all chairs occupied and people sitting on the floor to the left and right of the dock and witness box, and the crowd flowing out of the entrance. Justice Robert Spears advised their lawyer Christina Tina to sit with the couple in the dock while answering the court. They both agreed that most allegations laid by the prosecution were true but Jacob denied his involvement in one case. Continued Page 2
Kalvau niu agrikaltsa minista
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THE PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTION AGENT OF THE INDEPENDENT ON OUTER ISLANDS IS VANUATU POST. COPIES RECEIVED BY OUTER ISLAND HIGH SCHOOLS ARE COURTESY OF WESTPAC VANUATU.
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