Magistrate warns against drinking alcohol in public

PEOPLE drinking alcohol and behaving rudely in public have no sense of respect for other people’s rights, says Goroka-based Committal Court Magistrate Felix Terra.
He said they would be punished severely when the law caught up with them.
Magistrate Terra said this when sentencing 19-year-old Frank Dadi, from Biteve village in Kainantu, Eastern Highlands, to six months’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of drinking in a food outlet in Goroka.
He said causing a nuisance in public distracted people who were going about their businesses. Therefore, Dadi was slapped with a six months jail term.
“Alcohol is to be consumed in private residences, licensed public bars and clubs or at restricted outlet areas,” Magistrate Terra said.
Police arrested Dadi on Oct 21, 2023, for drinking alcohol at the Goroka Plaza food outlet.
He was inside the dining area at Goroka Plaza when two policemen, who went there to dine, caught and arrested him.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Terra said policemen had no right to release suspects who they had arrested.
He said this when condemning the alleged actions of a policeman who released a suspect who appeared before the court.
His case was further adjourned and he remained detained at the police cell.
Magistrate Terra said no police officer had the authority to release suspects from custody.
Terra said rogue police officers should be dealt with by facing the full force of the law.