Police given one week to confirm defendant’s claim

A COURT has given a week to police to confirm whether or not charges of damaging property and stealing were filed and served to a defendant.
Waigani committal court Magistrate Paul Puri Nii yesterday adjourned the case to Tuesday after Lawrence Gaspal, 35, from Maramuni in Wabag Central, Enga, told the magistrate that he was not given the file.
According to police, the file was served to the defendant on Feb 10.
“I will adjourn the matter to let police confirm whether they had served the file,” Magistrate Nii said.
Police alleged that on Nov 10, at around 11.30pm to midnight at Section 70, Lot 9, Henao Drive 5-Mile in National Capital District, Gaspal was armed with a bush knife and entered a premises.
Police alleged that he broke the security lights, left rear mirror and rear windscreen of a white Toyota Camry – totalling K2,905.50.
Police also alleged that Gaspal entered the rental area when all the tenants were sleeping and smashed two bedroom doors and picked a suitcase containing some items and left.
Police alleged that Gaspal further tried to enter a shop situated within the location but failed and left.
Police also alleged that on the next day, at around 8am, Gaspal went back to the same location and entered the shop with the bush knife and threatened two shop assistants to leave.
The shop assistants fled and Gaspal allegedly stole items totalling K4,500.
He was charged with stealing and wilful damage.