Lecturer charged with assaulting priest

A LECTURER at the University of Goroka appeared in the Goroka District Court yesterday charged with assaulting a Catholic priest.
He pleaded guilty in his first hearing but raised some defence which prompted the court to adjourn the matter to tomorrow.
Anton Simbai, 32, from Rindima village in Daulo district, allegedly assaulted Fr Paul Liwun, from Indonesia, at the Kefamo Catholic Mission premises on Oct 26.
The incident happened at around 2.30pm, Simbai allegedly punched Fr Paul on the face, resulting in him sustaining a bleeding nose and swollen face.
Members of the Catholic congregation had gathered at Kefamo Catholic Mission area for the burial of another Catholic priest, Fr Harry Gahare.
Simbai, who was very close to Fr Harry, claimed Fr Paul did not attend to the late priest during his bed rest and had assaulted him.
Fr Paul received medical treatment and reported the matter to Goroka police who arrested Simbai and charged him last week.