Husband reminded duty

By HEZRON KISING
A MAN was reminded by a magistrate yesterday that he had harmed the woman he was supposed to protect in finding enough evidence to commit him to a trial for attempted murder in the National Court.
“The evidence supports the elements of the facts and charge,” Lae Committal Court Magistrate Pious Tapil told Hensley Ram, 24, of Tewai-Siassi in Morobe.
“You as the husband were supposed to protect your wife, but instead you harmed her in a gruesome way.
“Based on the evidence before the court, it was enough to commit you to the National Court for mention on Aug 3.”
Magistrate Tapil said such offences were becoming common and was a serious concern in the country.
Ram was charged with the attempted murder of his wife Cherly Molo on Oct 28 last year at Tarawe village in the Siassi local level government.
Magistrate Tapil said there was sufficient evidence provided by police through medical reports of the victim, indicating the kind of injuries sustained. It was alleged that the accused and his wife were at a gambling place where people were playing cards (poker).
Ram asked Molo to go with him to look for tobacco leaves to make cigarette.
Police alleged Molo asked Ram for a torch since the place was dark and she could not see clearly.
In the process of passing the torch, Ram allegedly cut off her hand (wrist) with a knife.
Molo screamed and cried for help and ran towards her uncle’s house.
She was later admitted to the Lablab Health Centre.
She was airlifted by helicopter to Angau Memorial Hospital the next day for further treatment.
Police reports alleged that Molo had lived in a violent relationship with Ram who usually beat her and cut her with a knife.
She was earlier admitted to the health centre after he had attacked her.
At one point, she was threatened with a bush knife and forced her into eating her own excreta.
The accused had surrender to police and was taken to Lae where he was charged and detained. The case returns to court on Aug 3.