Pitcairn mayor's son accused of rape

The son of the former mayor of the remote pacific island of Pitcairn appeared in court today charged with rape, the eighth islander to be prosecuted on a series of sexual assault charges dating back up to 40 years.

Shawn Christian, 29, who has lived in Australia since 1998, had already appeared in court on the charges, but the Pitcairn Magistrate’s Court had ordered the media not identify him.