Man in court for theft

 THE committal court acts as a screener of evidence before persons charged with indictable offences are committed to trial at a higher court, a magistrate explained yesterday.

Waigani committal court magistrate Cosmas Bidar informed the court after reading charges  against a man for allegedly stealing a laptop valued at K2999. He had appeared for his first mention.

Bidar told the court that the committal court weighed information on the allegations and determined whether to dismiss charges or commit the offender to the National Court for a trial.

Patrick Peabe, 31 from Tami village, Tari in Hela, on June 25 at Burns Peak settlement allegedly stole a laptop belonging to another person.

Bidar explained to Peabe that it was a fresh allegation against him and that police needed time to conduct investigations.