Magistrate warns people not to use court as their playing field

A MAGISTRATE has warned people not use the court as a “playing field” for their own interests.
Waigani Committal Court Magistrate Cosmas Bidar was commenting on a case in which the complainant asked the court to withdraw a case after the accused person agreed to repay the money he stole.
“This practice is becoming prevalent,” he said.
“People run to the police and after the police have committed time and resources to arrest and investigate, they write to withdraw because the accused has offered to pay them.
“The court is not a playing field. We are dealing with people who are alleged to have committed criminal offences and justice must take its course.”
The court heard that Jonah Kandambao, 23, from Wapenamanda in Enga was the director of Sauoxtron Education Consultancy PNG Limited, a private agency which arranged students to study in universities in China.
The complainant, Willie Wea, had paid K12,955 to the agency to sponsor his son Hellai Willie to study in China. The court was told that Kandambao failed to secure a place for Hellai and used the money.
Kandambao repaid K7500 to Wea while the case was before the Committal Court.
After assuring Wea that he would repay the full amount, they agreed to withdraw the case.
But Magistrate Bidar told Kandambao that he would stand trial in the National Court.
“The fact that you’ve paid some money is something for the judge to consider and rule upon during sentencing.”