In court over sexual abuse

A 25-YEAR-OLD man accused of sexually penetrating a four-year-old girl with his fingers, made his first appearance at the Waigani Committal Court yesterday before Magistrate Tracy Ganaii.
Benny John, from Pebo village, Wapenamanda, Enga, was residing at the same residential area as the girl and her family in 9-Mile, Port Moresby, at the time of the alleged incident.
It is alleged that on Feb 2, around 5.30pm, at the residential area in 9-Mile, John was under the influence of alcohol and allegedly took the girl to the toilet. He allegedly lured her with a soft drink before taking her there where he sexually assaulted her.
The girl reported the incident to her mother and police were notified and John was taken in for questioning.
He denied the allegations before he was arrested and charged with sexual penetration of a child.
John is in custody and will return to court on March 18.