A MAN appeared before the Lae National Court on Monday on a charge of aiding an armed robbery, where a woman shopper was allegedly robbed of K6,040 in cash and personal items but denied the charge during plea hearing.
Wesley Simoli, from Kamaliki, Eastern Highlands province, appeared before National Court judge Justice George Manuhu and pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out to him.
The court heard that the accused was in the company of two other men who allegedly held up the woman shopper outside the Pelgens supermarket along Malaita Street, Milfordhaven on Aug 7, 2006.
The court heard that the victim was waiting in her parked vehicle outside the shop for her son, who had gone in to buy some goods when she was allegedly attacked and robbed.
The court heard that the three men were alleged to have been armed with a knife and a home-made gun as one of them approached the victim who was in her car and punched her in the chest.
The State alleged that one of the three held a knife against the neck of the victim and threatened to kill her if she failed to hand over the money.
The State alleged that the three men grabbed the victim’s bag containing the money.
She suffered cuts to her fingers during the scuffle which took place at around 10.15am on a Monday morning.
The court heard that the total valuables stolen from the victim was K10,860, which included the cash.
When Justice Manuhu asked him if he understood the charge, he said yes, but told the court that it was not true on his part.
The judge entered a not guilty plea and ordered the accused to remain in custody to await trial.