Five charged with attempted murder after assault

FIVE men who ganged up on a lone man and beat him at the Taurama Beach in Port Moresby on New Year’s Day were each charged with attempted murder in the Waigani Committal Court.
Before Magistrate Tracy Ganaii to hear their charges were Ovia Nou Taboro, 23, Yosep Kerek, 23, both of Pari village in Port Moresby, Wari Leana, 22, from Babaka village in Rigo, Central, Simeon Kornet, 37, from Domara village in Abau, Central and Tristan Maragau, 23, from Navunaram village in Gazelle, East New Britain.
They were alleged to have severely assaulted Roxson Wala during the course of the day at the beach and then at the Taurama bus stop.
At 8am, the men allegedly approached Wala at the beach. They were alleged to have used abusive language at Wala but he walked away.
They then rushed at Wala and attacked him, allegedly throwing several punches at him before bystanders intervened.
Wala managed to escape to the bus stop where his sister was.
The men caught up with him and one of them allegedly smashed a beer bottle over his head, causing him to collapse unconscious.
A complaint was lodged to police and the men were taken to the Gordon police station for questioning, and were charged.
Taboro is out on a K1,000 bail while the other four are on K500 bail each.
They will return to court on March 3.