Court slams child prostitution

A MAGISTRATE says the act of selling a child for sex is frightening and unbecoming of a human being.
Jenny Omoa, 20, of Kairiku’s Orai village, Central, appeared before acting Judge Laura Wawun-Kuri for her first appearance in the Waigani National Court.
The Committal Court, on May 30, found sufficient evidence against Omoa to commit her to trial in the National Court.
Omoa had allegedly arranged for two men to have sex with a 12-year-old girl in exchange for money at the Unagi Oval in Gordon last Aug 3.
Acting Judge Wawun-Kuvi directed the public solicitor to assign a lawyer to represent Omoa and file necessary documents.
“State lawyer and a lawyer from the office of the public solicitor to file notice of appearance and State to file pre-trail report,” she said.
“Relevant documents must also file and served to each other before the matter returns.”
During the May 30 hearing, Magistrate Paul Puri Nii said only animals which had no values in life could be sold for money or in exchange for valuable items.
According to the police, it was alleged that around 4.30pm last Aug 2, Omoa invited the girl to spend the night with her at her home in Foodland.
At around 7am the next day, Omoa allegedly took the girl to Unagi Oval and left her with the men saying she was going to buy betel nut.
She did not return.
After two hours of waiting, the men took the girl to a bank in Waigani, withdrew some cash and took her to a guest house in a taxi.
When the girl asked where they were going, she was told that they were going to have sex with her as they had already paid Omoa K100.
But when they reached the guest house, police who were there investigating another case questioned the girl who told them everything.
Omoa is remanded until the next mention on Aug 5.