Court refuses bail for duo

A COMMITTAL Court in Lae has refused bail for two men charged with causing grievous bodily harm due to non-appearance of guarantors.
Senior magistrate Pious Tapil said he agreed for bail but said there must be guarantors present in court to guarantee that the defendants would return to court.
Freddy Paul, 25, and Erick Paul, 26, both from Ialibu’s Muli village in Southern Highlands, appeared in court for the charges of causing grievous bodily harm to Samson Kenny and said they had no one in court to represent them and believed their relatives did not know that they were in custody.
“I cannot just grant bail, I need your guarantors to be present here so that I know that you will return for court and it is a requirement,” he said.
“For now, you will be remanded in custody and in order for you to appear next week for court.
“The prosecutor will also make the necessary arrangements so that you can communicate with relatives and inform them.”
The court adjourned the case to Aug 3 and advised prosecutors to make arrange for the defendants to communicate with their relatives.
Police report stated that on June 9, around 2am-3am at 2-Mile, Seven Block, Lae, Freddy and Erick had punched the complainant’s brother to the ground.
Then they hit his head with the handle of a welded knife.
When the complainant saw the wielded knife, he shouted for them to stop but Freddy ran towards him and hit him with a timber on his head.