Man told to compensate victim

National

A District Court in Lae on Monday ordered a 32-year-old man charged with unlawful assault to pay a fine plus compensation to the victim.
Magistrate Jacinta Doa had ordered John Kale from Gumine’s Homdara village, Chimbu, to pay K500 as fine and K1,000 as compensation for unlawfully assaulting Luke Simpur.
Magistrate Doa told Kale to pay the fine plus the compensation within a month, failing this would mean six months in light labour at Buimo prison.
“Since you are unemployed and have no prior convictions, I gave you a week to pay the court fine and a month to pay the compensation, if not six months at Buimo,” said Doa.
The court heard that on Friday at about 3.25pm, Kale assaulted Luke Simpur at the Lae main market by hitting his head with a stone.
Police alleged that Kale fled after the assault but police apprehended him at the Lae main market bus stop the next day.
In a separate case, magistrate Doa adjourned the case of Leroy Kono, 24, from Goroka’s Nagamiufa village, Eastern Highlands, charged with allegedly committing domestic violence.
Doa made the decision after Kono pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The court allowed a bail of K2,000 and adjourned the case to Tuesday for trial.
Doa told the prosecutor to advice the complainant to bring medical certificates, photographs and witnesses to court on the trial date.
“Domestic violence is a very serious offence but I will allow bail for K2,000, and also I’ll advice the prosecutor to advice the complainant to bring necessary evidences and witnesses to court on May 24,” said Doa.
Police report stated that on Friday around 8pm, Kono had an argument with his wife and allegedly stabbed her with a kitchen knife on her back.