Do not force or threaten women, girls to have sex: Magistrate

BY GEORGINA KOREI
A MAGISTRATE has warned men not to force or threaten defenceless girls and women into having sex without their consent.
Committal Court Magistrate Paul Puri Nii in Waigani refused bail for Wandipe Apulaiya, 27, from Nogoli in Komo, Hela, facing a charge of sexual penetration on a 13-year-old girl who he alleged lured with money.
“Bail is refused considering the age difference. The victim was 13 and the accused was 27. And there was an abuse in the position of trust and authority,” he said.
He said an innocent little girl was sexually attacked when she was defenceless.
“So the bail is refused due to its sensitivity,” Magistrate Nii said.
“The granting of bail by the court will not be in the interest of justice. Hence bail is refused and the defendant locked up in custody.”
He added that sexual penetration of minors was prevalent in communities with a high number of cases coming before the courts, which was concerning.
“Do not force and threaten girls and women to have sex. Let them willingly and happily do that with consent,” he said.
The case returns back to court for mention on June 10.
Police alleged that on April 29, between 4pm and 5pm, Apulaiya went to where the girl lived in Port Moresby and picked her up.
He allegedly drove to a secluded location in Waigani, lured her with money and raped her inside his car.