G10 student pays heavy fine under new law

By ZACHERY PER
A Grade 10 student was fined K1000 or in default 12 months’ imprisonment after being found guilty of damaging the windscreen of a vehicle.
He was ordered to pay K490 for a replacement windscreen.
The Goroka District Court applied the amended Summary Offences Act on Max Dilen, 21, of Daginava village in Lufa, Eastern Highlands, yesterday.
Magistrate Gerald Vetunawa warned that penalties for offences such as wilful damage to properties, consuming liquor in public places and related offences had increased from a fine of K400 or two months’ imprisonment to a fine of K1000 or 12 months imprisonment.
The court found Dilen guilty of damaging the windscreen of a Toyota Land Cruiser at around 11.30pm on Aug 11 at Zokozoi Block in Goroka. He was under the influence of liquor.
Dilen is a student of Lufa Secondary School.
Vetunawa said the sentence and order of compensation would send a strong message to others.