Alleged biting incident

A MAN facing a murder charge allegedly bit another man’s nose in a cell they were detained in, a court has been told.
Waigani Committal Court Magistrate Tracy Ganaii ordered that Leonard Paia, 30, of Pakura village in Hela be transferred to a psychiatric hospital.
Police prosecutor Sgt Joseph Sangam said Paia would be moved to the Laloki Psychiatric Hospital in the National Capital District because he could be mentally ill.
Sgt Sangam said Paia was unable to understand why he was being arrested.
He allegedly killed Sam Gawi on June 19 at the ATS Samarai Block in Port Moresby. He was detained at the Boroko Police Station cell when he bit a man’s nose last weekend.
Magistrate Ganaii ordered that a report on the matter be submitted to court by Aug 3 and that Paia be remanded at Laloki until he could understand what he was being charged with. The hospital will report to the court about his progress every six months from Aug 3.
“The report has to be submitted to court so the court can keep a record of his mental state,” she said.
Magistrate Ganaii said Paia should be treated at the hospital until his condition improved.