Alleged wife basher held

By MARJORIE FINKEO
A POLICEMAN accused of abusing his 22-year-old wife for a few years was yesterday arrested and charged with wounding and locked up at the Gordon Police Station.
Policing the Police unit officer in-charge Insp Robert Wane told The National that the policeman was arrested by the Gordon police team at the Waigani Shopping Centre when he was on his way to see her.
Insp Wane said police responded after a report of the alleged abuse was published by The National yesterday.
“We called the suspect and told him that his wife was sick and needed him to pick her up at Waigani Stop and Shop.
“When he went there the police apprehended him,” Insp Wane said.
He said his files were processed and would be sent to senior officers to see and carry out investigations.
He said the policeman was arrested and charged a year ago for allegedly shooting his wife, Christina Leo, but released on bail.
“Family violence in the police barracks have become norm, we encourage victims to come forward and report such violence and abusive life to police so that suspects can face the law,” Insp Wane said.
He said there were many unreported cases because many victims feared their husbands and they kept going through life.
It was something everyone needed to break from, he said.
The policeman concerned is 38 and from Gulf.
He is attached to the Waigani police.
Leo is his third wife.
They have four children and she is five months pregnant.
Insp Wane said Leo and the children would be living with her family while police monitored the situation.