Guilty plea in doc’s assault case

National

By ZEDAIAH KANAU
AN EAST Sepik man has pleaded guilty in the Waigani National Court to assaulting a doctor two years ago at a Port Moresby residence saying that he is prepared to pay compensation.
Acting Judge Laura Wawun-Kuvi yesterday confirmed the plea of Desmond Dusava from Boram village, Wewak, for assaulting Dr Dean Wahembari at North Waigani on May 19, 2018, after the State prosecutors presented an indictment of assault occasioning bodily harm against him.
Dusava told the court that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding between him and Dr Wahembari over medical drugs and had no intention of causing harm.
“I’m willing to pay compensation in the sum of K2,000 and have the matter resolved in the Melanesian way,” he said.
Dusava also told the court that he had surrendered to police after the assault.
Justice Kuvi then adjourned the matter to Aug 30, ordering the officers of the probation office to complete a pre-sentence report and means assessment report while Dusava was remanded in custody until the matter returned for submission on sentencing.
Dr Wahembari, who worked at the Port Moresby General Hospital, was driving into a friend’s house with his wife when he was attacked by Dusava.
Dusava had been at the house next door when he saw Dr Wahembari, who had gone to pick up his son.
Dusava confronted him about the death of his father, alleging that the medical doctors were negligent and responsible for his father’s death in 2017.
Dusava punched Dr Wahembari and dragged him out of his car where the defendant and his friends continued the assault by kicking him and hitting him on the head with a beer bottle.
Dr Wahembari bled heavily and was taken to hospital and was treated for injuries to the face, including his eyes, nose, left ear, jaw and a wound to the head.
He also lost consciousness. The matter was reported to police and Dusava was arrested.