Islanders face sex attack charges

Nine men from Pitcairn Island – one fifth of the population – have been charged with sexual offences and will appear in court this week, a spokesman for the British High Commission said today.

Police have carried out an extensive investigation into complaints of alleged sex abuse on the tiny island, which is little more than volcanic rock, located halfway between New Zealand and Peru.

As a result of the investigation, Pitcairn Island’s prosecutor laid charges against nine men on Friday and the next court hearing will take place on the island on Wednesday, said Brian Nicholson, of the British High Commission in Wellington.

The island, which has a population of 45, is a British protectorate.

The magistrate presiding over the case has ordered that no details of the defendants, their alleged victims or details of the charges be released.

Wednesday’s court appearance is a pre-trial hearing.

If the case goes to a full trial it will probably be held in New Zealand because Pitcairn does not have the necessary infrastructure, such as a big enough courtroom, cells or even an airstrip if a judge and witnesses need to travel to the island.

Pitcairn Island was first settled on in 1790 by nine crew from the British ship the Bounty, including first mate Fletcher Christian, who led a mutiny against captain William Bligh.