Magistrate tells police to cut man’s beard before appearance

MT Hagen District Court magistrate Donald Joseph has told police to cut a man’s long beard before they bring him in for his next appearance.
He said the accused, Samson Kombara, looked fierce in his long beard.
Kombara, 28, from Tekakande village in the Lumusa, Western Highlands, was charged with rape.
The defendant didn’t know Pidgin and a translator from Enga-Baiyer assisted him and the court to communicate.
He eventually said he understood the charge. Police alleged that on July 19 at Tekakande village, Kombara raped a female (age not available).
Joseph told the defendant that if he wished to apply for bail, he could seek assistance from the Public Solicitor or any other lawyer to file his bail application.
The case was adjourned to Sept 20.