13 years for torture, rape

By HEZRON KISING
THE Buimo National Court in Lae has jailed a “sanguma man” (sorcerer) 30 years for torturing his victims before and after raping them but ended up giving him less than half the jail time.
With cuts and deductions, Ezekiel Timothy, 24, from Etau village in Markham, Morobe, was left with 13 years with hard labour to serve
Judge John Kaumi told Timothy that pulling strands of hair from his victim’s head, armpits and pubic area were actions of a “sanguma man” who tortured the victims before and after raping them four years ago.
The court heard that between Jan 1 and Aug 31, 2017, at Etau village, Timothy raped two females (name withheld for safety reasons).
“Before committing the offence, you tortured the victims,” Justice Kaumi said.
“That involves a number of offences such as pulling off strands of hair from their head, armpit and pubic area.
Justice Kaumi told him that his actions of rape were not of a normal rape, but a rape with aggravated circumstances and the maximum penalty was life imprisonment.
“The aggravating factors in the case were much stronger and have out-weighed the mitigating factors,” he said.
He said the only mitigating factors on his side was his guilty plea, which had saved everyone’s time and money and the victims to appear in court and testify for trial.
“We do not talk about such things in public in our societies,” Justice Kaumi said.
“It is a shameful thing and it’s kept confidential and secret.
“The court considers your plea a strong plea.”
Justice Kaumi handed down 30 years’ jail, but cut that to 20 years.
He then deducted 3 years 10 months for pre-trial time in custody, leaving the prisoner with 16 years and 2 months.
The judge further suspended 3 years and 2 months of the total, giving Timothy 13 years with hard labour to serve.
Justice Kaumi warned Timothy not to think about escaping because there was no good in that.
He told him to serve his time properly and behave to have some of his term deducted by Correctional Services probationary officers.