Court rejects bail application of man charged with rape

National

THE Waigani Committal Court has refused bail for a man charged with rape and instructed his lawyers to apply to the National Court which has powers to grant bail in such cases.
Magistrate Mekeo Gauli ordered the defendant Stanley Andrew’s lawyer to file a bail application at the National Court and not at the district court.
“The offence that he committed is serious under Section
347 (1) of the Criminal Code Act,” Gauli said.
“He was charged for rape and under Section 4 of the Bail Act, those involved in serious crime like rape, armed robbery, attempted murder etc., will not be granted
bail (by the district court). They have to seek bail at the National Court.” Gauli said.
Andrew, 27, from Enga, was alleged to have raped a woman at a settlement in Gerehu, National Capital District, last Saturday.
It was alleged that in the early hours the accused, after getting highly intoxicated, went to the victim’s residence and broke into her room, threatened her with a bush
knife and took her to where he lived.
Fearing for her life, the
victim complied and went with the accused.
While in the defendant’s room, she was again threatened with the same bush knife, told to strip naked and was raped.
The victim was locked in the accused room until another woman rescued her.
The victim was assisted by the neighbours to Gerehu police station where she filed a complaint and the accused was arrested.
The accused will be remanded in custody while police continue their investigations.
He will appear for mention on Oct 4.