Judge orders compensation for victim

 By CHARLES MOI 

A JUDGE yesterday ordered a man to pay K5,000 in compensation within six months to a victim of an attack he was involved in or face jail.

In the National Court in Waigani, Justice Panuel Mogish suspended the four-year jail sentence of William Bill Norris and ordered him to be on good behaviour for two years. 

Mogish did not impose the jail term as he took into consideration mitigating factors that Norris was 60 years old and seriously ill. 

A doctor’s medical report said Norris suffered from chronic arthritis and high blood pressure. 

The court earlier found Norris guilty of wilfully damaging and attempting to set fire to a house on the night of May 2, 2009.

The house, owned by one Toby Gamu, was located at section 15, allotment 7 in Hohola, National Capital District.  

Mogish said the fact that Norris encouraged others to destroy the property was enough evidence that he aided in the wilful destruction of the property.

Mogish told Norris a serious offence had been committed which had resulted in economic loss to the victim (Gamu).