Teacher accused of rape offered $3 and $4 for sex

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 01 November 2017, 12:00AM

A Primary School teacher who offered a young female student $3 and $4 amounts to lure her for sex has appeared in the Supreme Court accused of rape and indecent assault.

Efeso Pati Masina, 39, from the villages of Falefa and Asau, Savai’i, was teaching a church school when the alleged incidents took place.

He faces an assessor trial over two counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault against a girl under 16 years of age. 

The alleged victim, whose identity has been suppressed, was 13-years-old and was in Year 7 when the incidents occurred between 30 June and 1 August 2016.

Masina has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.

Presiding is Supreme Court Justice Mata Keli Tuatagaloa.

Prosecution is Fatumanavaupolu Ofisa Tagaloa of the Attorney General’s Office, while defense counsel is Alex Su’a.

Yesterday, the young girl took the stand to recall what had occurred.

“I remember in July 2016, this was my first day to this Primary School as I was in a different school before,” she told the Court.

“During recess on this day, my friends and I walked to the canteen to buy some food when Mr. Pati called us to come to where he was at the Baptism River (Vai Papatiso)."

“We went to him and he gave me $3 to buy some food I said thanks and we went and bought some food."

“At lunch time, my same group of friends and I again walked to the canteen when Pati called us again, we went to him and he again gave me money this time it was $4 to buy some food.”

Masina was her Social Science and Samoan teacher.

“After lunch, we had our last two periods and Mr. Pati told me to wait for him after school.”

She told the Court Masina sexually harassed her.

“He came to me and told me to have sex with him. I said to him no and I even tried to run outside but he caught me and pulled me against the wall."

 “When he was done he gave me tissues to wipe my legs and he told me to go and wait for the bus.”

“I put on my clothes and walked to where my friends were, they asked me why I was walking strangely but I told them it was nothing.”

Fatumanavaupolu asked the victim if she had agreed to what had happened and she said no.

 The second incident occurred in August inside the girls’ toilet at school. She told the Court that the defendant came inside the girls’ toilet and told her to have sex with him before school started.

 “During recess and lunch he would give me money $3 and $4 and during his periods he would ask me to stay and so I would.”

“On that day after school he came and asked me if I would want to be his girlfriend and said to him no but he asked why I don’t want to when he gives me money.”

“He told me he loves me and then he would have sex with me. Afterwards he told me that he will look after me and that he will give me money for my lunch.” 

Within the month of August the defendant would have sex with the victim before school started and after school.

“One day after school and when he had finished having sex he gave me $50,” she told the Court.

“He told me not to tell anyone about the $50 and he would look after me and my schooling. He kept telling me that he loves me.”

The sexual intercourse carried on until the month of November.

The hearing continues.

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 01 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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