Thu, 27 Jun 1996

Teacher to stand trial for rape

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: A 35-year-old elementary school teacher will stand trial on charges of raping a 15-year-old student.

Parents of the girl decided to bring the teacher, Matheus, to court after he broke his promise to give them an ox in "compensation" for the disgraceful act.

Under local tradition, if a man rapes a woman he must marry her or give the victim's family an ox.

Police said the incident happened in November last year when the victim's parents were away. The rapist was caught hiding under the bed. (yac/31)