Drunks get case struck out

By JACINTA COHLEE
THE Lae District Court struck out cases against two men charged with drinking in public on Monday after learning that the pair had been beaten during their arrest.
The two suspects, Nathaniel Kalim, 24, of Natkwari village in Angoram, East Sepik, and Samuel Jeffery, 20, of Pindiu village in Finschhafen, Morobe, were cautioned, discharged and had their cases struck out by Magistrate Isaac Tjipet after both men appeared in court with injuries.
Kalim had limped into court while Jeffery had bruises to his face and Tjipet asked them how the injuries had come about and both responded that the injuries were obtained during their arrest.
Meanwhile, the court advised Kalim to get a medical report as evidence to sue the arresting officer.
The court heard that the men had been arrested after drinking in a public area which contravened Section 4 (3b) of the Liquor Licence Miscellaneous Act.