Minor in abuse case missing

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By ZEDAIAH KANAU
A MINOR, who was allegedly abducted by a man and his wife and is the victim of a sexual abuse case, has gone missing, a court was told.
Magistrate Garry Unjo yesterday in the Waigani Committal Court was told by Police Prosecutor Sgt Christian Iga and the girl’s father that the whereabouts of the girl was still unknown while the father raised another accusation in court that her daughter was taken again by the couple.
The man, Christopher Simbai, however, appeared in court, while his wife Stephanie Sapak, was still admitted in hospital, according to Simbai.
Sgt Iga disputed this, saying that there should be current medical documents to support the claim raised by Simbai because the wife had already missed several court hearings.
“Sapak has not been appearing in court,” Sgt Iga said.
“The defendant (Simbai) always tells the court that she is sick, she is going through surgery and she’s under doctor’s care without any basis.
“The defendant has to prove what he’s submitting before this court.”
Sgt Iga said allowing Sapak at large without any documentation to support her non-appearance was a complete disregard of the criminal justice system.
Simbai then provided medical documents but the court noted that they were outdated and asked Simbai for current information.
Simbai said it was not ready yet.
Sgt Iga then said: “The father (of the victim) is right here before the court, the informant as well. They have stated that they have no idea where the victim is currently. The father also has no idea where the victim is.”
The father then told the court of his suspicion, accusing the couple of abducting her again.
He accused the couple of stabbing her daughter after the alleged offences occurred.
Magistrate Unjo said he would not make a decision on the matter until the whereabouts of Sapak and the girl was confirmed.
It was alleged that the couple sexually abused the 15-year-old girl for four days in their home (last Sept 15-18) at 2-Mile, Port Moresby.
Sapak allegedly told the girl after the ordeal to remain with her husband (Simbai) and have their children because she (Sapak) could not bear children.
They were each charged with molest, rape, abduction, deprivation of liberty and persistent sexual abuse. The couple are out on K1,000 bail each.