Man accused of killing toddler after reversing vehicle

A 64-year-old man was charged with murder in a district court in Waigani over the death of a toddler.
Police prosecutor Sgt Sandra Holland told the court that the matter was serious and that the defendant was yet to be arraigned as most police had been engaged in election operations.
Defence lawyer Edwin Lako asked the court to strike out the matter due to the lack of a police file.
Magistrate Billy Pidu adjourned the case to Sept 14 for the police file to be completed.
Police alleged that John Minato, from Akom village in Wabag, Enga, killed the toddler at a residence in Ensisi Valley, Port Moresby, on March 16.
Minato had been washing a white Toyota 15-seater bus at the time and was trying to reverse over a rubber hose when he allegedly ran over the child.
Minato on realising what had happened took the toddler’s body to the parents and claimed he had found it in a drain.
The matter was reported to police and upon investigation, it was determined that the killing had happened in the residence and not in a public place as claimed by the defendant.
Minato, married with four children and employed by TSG Security as a driver, was arrested and charged with one count of murder.