Officer tried for touching woman’s breast

 A POLICE officer has been committed to stand trial in the National Court for allegedly touching a woman’s breast.

Lae District Court magistrate Nasaling Bingtau found that there was enough evidence to commit Sgt James Luan to stand trial in the higher court. 

Bingtau said: “The facts of the matter are sufficient. The case will proceed to the National Court.”

Luan had earlier made a no case submission. 

He had asked the court to strike out the case on grounds of the status of the complainant. 

The court had earlier heard that Luan allegedly committed the offence on March 8 at around 9am. 

He was then the acting director of the Mamose regional police training centre at Bumbu Barracks in Lae.

Luan allegedly touched the complainant’s breast when she went to lodge an application for a family member who wanted to join the police force.

Bingtau extended Luan’s K200 bail and set the matter for Nov 4.

In another case, aman who allegedly stoleeight bags of betelnutsfrom another man was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

The court also ordered Kawage Jonwaieng from Kerowagi, Chimbu, to pay K4,000 compensation to the betelnut owner after completing his prison term.

Police told the court that each of the stolen betelnut bag cost K400.