Church minister guilty of all 10 sex charges

Deidre Fanene

A Methodist pastor who is facing sex charges in connection to a victim under 16 years old who was living with him  has pleaded guilty to all charges against him.

Tugia Tuliau who was serving at Satalo Falealili had his ordained role stripped by the church after he admitted to the allegations against him.

The charges against the accused includes,1 charge of rape, 7 charges of sexual conduct with a family member and 2 charges of indecent act with a dependent family member.

His guilty plea to all the charges was put forward through his lawyer Leiataualesa Komisi Koria earlier today.

Justice Leiataualesa Daryl adjourned the matter for sentencing on the 14th of January next year.

Earlier this week the court lifted an interim name was suppression order that was issued against the defendant after prosecution confirmed that there is no relation between the defendant and the victim.

Tuliau’s bail condition include an order to reside at Vaimoso with his family, sign at police station in Apia, surrender all his travel documents and was prohibited from setting foot on Satalo Falealili where the alleged incident occurred and not to contact the young complainant and witnesses in the matter.

The victim is under the care of the Samoa Victim Support Group and it is believed that she was living with the defendant and his family.