Magistrate explains duo’s right to bail

By MALIKAI BALANDU
A Lae Committal Court has, on Wednesday, adjourned the case of two men charged with causing grievous bodily harm after explaining to them their right to bail.
Freddy Paul, 25, and Erick Paul, 26, both from Ialibu’s Muli village in Southern Highlands, appeared before Magistrate Samuel Lavutul who explained their right to apply for bail formally.
“I will not just grant bail due to your background,” he said.
“I believe you are not Lae residents, you live in Southern Highlands.
“That is why you have to apply for bail formally and provide guarantors to prove that you will be returning to court on the mentioned court dates for hearing.”
Magistrate Lavutul noted that their files were not ready and adjourned their case to Aug 17.
The court also advised the police prosecutor to make proper arrangement to have Freddy treated for an arm injury.
“I can see your arm is badly injured,” the magistrate said.
“I’ve advised the prosecutor to make proper arrangements for you to be treated.”
It was alleged that on June 9, from around 2am to 3am at 2-Mile, Seven Block, Lae, Freddy and Erick beat up the complainant’s brother by punching him to the ground where he hit his head on the handle of a wielded knife.
When the complainant saw the wielded knife, he shouted for them to stop but Freddy ran to him and allegedly hit him with a piece of timber on the head.