3 years for assaulting mum-in-law

By CLARISSA MOI
A 29-YEAR-OLD woman soldier was jailed three years by the National Court in Waigani for assaulting and causing bodily harm to her mother-in-law about three years ago.
“Soldiers who behave like this have no place in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. They are a disgrace to the uniform they wear and should be sternly dealt with,” acting judge Tracy Ganaii said.
She told Sylvia Kengemar, from Kerowagi’s Megende village in Chimbu, that as a physical training instructor with the force, “you are expected to have discipline running in your veins, in your heart and in your head”.
“You would have been trained to have discipline in all aspects of your life and to have more self-control.
“What you did to your mother-in-law is contradicting all that you were trained for.”
Some time in 2018, Sylvia’s mother-in-law Jenny Toba used obscene and hurting words against her, saying that she was a prostitute and a bastard.
Sylvia was upset and went to her parents’ house and told them what had happened.
She also informed her husband. On Aug 19, 2019, a mediation was called at 4-Mile Works compound for Jenny to apologise to Sylvia which she (Jenny) agreed.
Both Jenny and Sylvia’s family members attended the mediation.
However Jenny saw that Sylvia and her mother Josepha were trying to assault her and thinking that her presence was provocative, she walked away.
Josepha ran after Jenny, grabbed her by the hair and punched her in the face.
Sylvia joined her mother and they both punched Jenny.
Justice Ganaii said according to clinical notes and medical reports, Jenny sustained cuts and bruises to her face and head.
According to reports from eye doctors, Jenny had lost 45 per cent of vision on her left eye.
The injuries are permanent.
Justice Ganaii said people who used mediation to display criminal mindset should be punished.
“One thing that made this (case) different from others is that it was committed during a mediation.
“The very process for seeking reconciliation.
“It’s almost like tricking the victim to come for the mediation and ganging up on her.
“In my view this type of behaviour is uncalled for.
“People who use the mediation process to display a criminal mindset should be strongly punished.
“Upon release after serving one year six months with hard labour in prison, you will be placed on good behaviour bond for the balance of one year six months.
“But, when you are on good behaviour bond, you must not commit any offence,” Justice Ganaii said, adding that there would be no compensation.