A 21-year-old man, who took off with a 14-year-old girl and kept her in seclusion at his home for several days in 2019, appeared in the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

The name of the defendant and the village where the crime occurred have been suppressed to protect the identity of the victim.

Supreme Court Justice, Fepulea’i Ameperosa Roma, adjourned the matter until Wednesday 1 July, 2020 for sentencing, to allow the defendant time to find a lawyer.

“The Court directs that a counsel be appointed to act for the accused under legal aid," Justice Fepuleai said. 

"I will adjourn this matter to 12:30 on Wednesday, the 1 of July for a counsel to appear.”

The defendant, who was 20-years-old at the time, was charged with sexual connection with a young person under the age of 16.

He was unrepresented when he pleaded guilty earlier this year.

The defendant and the teenage girl had just met in February 2019 when the man took her to his house and kept her there for several days, the Court heard.

The family of the victim filed a missing person report with the Police.

The prosecutor is Avei Faasi'i of the Attorney General’s Office. The defendant was remanded on bail.