Man accused of raping boy

By NATASHA KELLY
DWU Communication Arts student
A 26-YEAR-OLD man charged with raping a boy under the age of 12-years was told by the Lae Committal Court to file a proper bail application.
Senior provincial Magistrate Pious Tapil told Amos Meho, of Okapa’s Gimi village, Eastern Highlands, to file a proper application after considering that the offence was prevalent in the communities today.
“It has come to the understanding of this court that such offences are prevalent in the communities we live in today,” Magistrate Tapil told Meho.
“Your presence in the community may now affect the victim emotionally.”
Magistrate Tapil told Meho that he would be remanded in Lae’s Buimo Prison until a proper bail application was made before the court.
According to a police summary of facts, Meho allegedly committed the offence on Nov 17 at Nawai in Lae.
The court was told that the victim was with his younger brother and another boy while they were catching fish at Bumbu River.
Police told the court that the children went up river when Meho spotted them and called the victim over.
Meho asked the victim to follow him into the bush to get ripe bananas when he allegedly raped him.
The court heard that afterward Meho gave the victim K2.
The victim later revealed the matter to his mother who reported it to police who arrested and charged Meho.
Meho will appear for his second mention on Feb 24.