Magistrate advises accused

MAGISTRATE Paul Puri Nii told a 24-year-old man, charged with burglary, to return to his village instead of loitering around in Port Moresby unemployed.
“I am striking out the charge against you because there is a lack of police evidence,” he said.
“You were charged with stealing from your father.”
Magistrate Nii told Philemon Wappe, from Sinasina-Yongumugl’s Emai village, Chimbu, last Wednesday that he had been in and out of prison.
“If you have nothing to do here in the city, go back to your village and stop hanging around with other unemployed people,” he said.
Last Jan 1, at about 9.30am, Wappe was seen under the influence of alcohol and approached Muingnepe Silas canteen as a store keeper in Popondetta First Block, ATS, Port Moresby, and demanded K100.
When his request was not granted by Silas, Wappe walked off but returned after 20 minutes and allegedly hurled an empty bottle beer at Silas which hit an iron bar at the front counter and broke.
Wappe also allegedly swore at the customers.
The store was part of the building that belonged to Wappe’s father and it has rooms where people occupied as dwelling. Wappe was also allegedly seen entering a church area and argued with the pastor and his family.
He then returned to the store again and threw a big rock and hit the lock of the store.
The door broke open and Wappe allegedly stepped in and took a plier and ripped off the electric switch board from the wall.
He was taken out of the store by Silas, however, on his way out, he took a packet of cigarettes.
A while later, Wappe returned again and broke down the door of the canteen with a rock.
He allegedly took three cans of Ox and Palm corned beef and three packets of Em Nau biscuits.
He threw all the biscuits from the canteen shelves and smashed them with his feet and spit betel nut on the shop floor.