Boyfriend to answer to grievous bodily harm charge

A MAGISTRATE has found enough evidence to make a prima facie case against a 26-year-old man charged with causing grievous bodily harm on his girlfriend.
Waigani Committal Court Magistrate Paul Puri Nii said yesterday that police had found sufficient evidence to support the charge against Otton Goimba, from Moga village, Western Highlands.
Goimba had denied the charge claiming there was no evidence to support it.
Police alleged that at 8pm on July 30, 2019, at Golden Kina Restaurant in Port Moresby, Goimba and his girlfriend Anna Nolwai had had an argument and he assaulted her.
Nolwai claimed that Goimba had punched her and sworn at her in the course of their argument.
Police Prosecutor Chris Iga submitted in support of the police evidence that there was prima facie case against Goimba to charge him with grievous bodily harm.
The defence submission disputed the evidence questioning its sufficiency and credibility.
Magistrate Nii noted that aside from denying the allegation Goimba had refused to talk to police.
He said there was evidence of wounds sustained by Nolwai and this was corroborated by a medical report from the Port Moresby General Hospital on March 15.
Nolwai also claimed that she had been a victim of abuse over the course of the couple’s three-year relationship.
Magistrate Nii said the medical report and Nolwai’s statement were sufficient for his ruling.
He extended Goimba’s bail and adjourned the matter to Wednesday.