Assault suspect claims he was provoked

By ZEDAIAH KANAU
A MAN from Central charged with assaulting an expatriate in Port Moresby told a court that he was “provoked” by the complainant and was “judged wrongly” by the police prosecution.
Patrick Grants, 45, of mixed Papua New Guinean (Tatana, Central) and Indian heritage, was alleged to have punched his brother-in-law, Salvador Jun Alibaya from the Philippines, over allegations of bribery by Alibaya.
Grants told Magistrate Ernest Wilmot at the Boroko District Court yesterday that he had been cheated by Alibaya, his business partner in the past, alleging that Alibaya had done the same in their second business venture.
“What the statement is saying is wrong. I did not throw two punches, I threw one punch,” he said.
“We have registered another business and he has cheated me in the past and is trying to do it the second time.
“When we went to his house, he threw a strong statement at me, accusing me of bribery which I did not know of.”
It was alleged that on April 27, at around 8pm, Grants was with his wife Marie Grants, Richard Banta and Romeo Mangalindan, having a conversation when Grants allegedly told Banta that he was going to give him K100,000 after his contract was approved by the Moresby North East office.
Banta, who is employed by Alibaya, told Alibaya about the alleged proposal.
The next morning around 9am, Grants was allegedly called to Alibaya’s residence at East Boroko to discuss the issue with him.
While they were discussing, Grants got upset and allegedly pushed the table towards Alibaya.
He was alleged to have punched Alibaya twice and squeezed his neck causing bruises.
Grants was brought in by police and admitted to the offence saying it was done out of frustration.