Hearing delay for rape-charge Pitcairn islander
An Australian court today delayed the extradition hearing of a Pitcairn Island man accused of taking part in a string of rapes and other sex crimes on the isolated Pacific island.
Australian resident Shawn Brent Christian is one of several Pitcairn islanders to be charged over a series of rapes and sex attacks dating back 40 years in a scandal that rocked the tiny British island, settled by the HMS Bounty mutineers.
In October last year, his father, former mayor Steve Christian – who claims to be a direct descendent of Bounty mutiny leader Fletcher Christian – and five other men were convicted of rape and given sentences ranging from community service to six years in prison.
British authorities requested the extradition of Shawn Christian to New Zealand to face a specially formed court. Pitcairn Island is Britain’s last dependent territory in the Pacific.
The 29-year-old sales manager has been charged with two counts of rape and one count of aiding and abetting another rape. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Christian appeared before an extradition hearing at Sydney’s Central Local Court as his lawyer, Adrian Cook, sought to delay the proceedings until new evidence could be collected and presented.
Christian was placed in custody and his next court appearance will be on January 21.
