Accused arsonist to stand trial

A MAN accused of attempting to burn down his adopted father’s rental property in Lae last year has been committed to stand trial in the National Court.
Lae Committal Court Magistrate Pious Tapil told Felix Courtney, 23 from Porosa Village in Okapa, Eastern Highlands, that there was sufficient evidence to commit him to trial for attempted arson.
“Tenants were there too at the time of incident which your actions almost affected their lives,” Magistrate Tapil told Courtney on Friday.
“You will be committed to the National Court to defend yourself there.”
Magistrate Tapil told Courtney that his case would be mentioned in the National Court on June 6.
Police allege that on Dec 19, 2021, at Nawaeb Block, Buimo Road in Lae, Courtney, with his friends, drank alcohol near his adopted father’s rental property.
Police said tenants rented rooms at the property.
Police allege that Courtney, after becoming drunk, broke into the rental property and used threatening, insulting and abusive words against the tenants.
Courtney allegedly demanded money from the tenants or he would burn their belongings in their rooms.