Man accused of raping wife in court

A 25-year-old man accused of raping his wife repeatedly appeared in the Waigani Committal Court yesterday from custody to hear his charge.
Magistrate Ernest Wilmot arraigned Andrew Maia, from Tumbarlere village, Kagua, Southern Highlands, accused of raping Sala Kay at Vadavada, Port Moresby.
There were also claims of him attempting to strangle her, threatening to slit her throat and stealing K2,000 from her.
It was reported that Kay took their one-year-old child to her sisters at Erima after an argument with Maia on Sep 14.
On Sep 21, at about 1.30pm, Maia went to Erima and instructed Kay to return to Vadavada with him.
Kay was escorted by her two sisters to Vadavada where at around 4pm, Maia allegedly threatened them (sisters) with a bush knife.
Maia was alleged to have locked Kay in the house after her sisters left and started assaulting her.
He allegedly got a bush knife and a piece of rope and took Kay with their child up a mountain at Vadavada. Police alleged that Maia tried to strangle Kay by tying the rope around her neck before threatening to slit her throat.
Maia was also alleged to have taken K2,000 from Kay’s market takings before raping her on the mountain.
Maia allegedly raped Kay again in their house coming back from the mountain.
After the incidents, Maia locked Kay and their child inside and went out to buy alcohol with the money taken from Kay’s market earnings.
He returned (Sept 22) at around 1am and raped Kay again before going to bed.
Kay escaped after breaking the door.
Maia allegedly went into hiding after Kay reported the incidents to police.
He was captured by police at Downtown, Port Moresby and taken to the Boroko criminal investigation division office to be charged.
He appeared in court and was told to return on Nov 26 for mention.