Police officer charged with rape refused bail

By DILU WENA
A POLICE officer charged with the rape of a 14-year-old girl has been refused bail at the Waigani National Court.
Gideon Ruthdi, 24, from Western Highlands, is accused of forcibly harbouring the complainant in his room at the Bomana Police Barracks in Port Moresby for two days and allegedly raped her several times.
Justice Teresa Berrigan refused his application, saying it was a serious matter because the complainant was an underage girl so police would continue investigation.
It was alleged that on Feb 21, the girl travelled with Ruthdi on a PMV bus to Bomana. Ruthdi took the girl to his room where they stayed for two days and the incident occurred. It was further alleged that he forcibly locked her in his room, issued threats to her and raped her.
On March 24, the matter was reported to police by the girl’s relatives and he was arrested and charged.
Ruthdi’s lawyer argued that his doctor prescribed him daily medical treatment after a car accident last year and had missed his operation scheduled on Monday due to continuous detention. He said Ruthdi’s medicine supply had run out and he needed treatment.
The lawyer said Ruthdi was a police probation officer and his employment, which was his only source of income, was on the line.
He said Ruthdi should be granted bail so that he would be able to go for surgery as well as keep his job.
He also submitted that he was a first time offender.
The State lawyer did not object to the application because of his medical condition.
The court found no evidence to suggest that he had tried to obtain medical treatment when his medicines had run out. He was refused bail and advised to seek medical treatment through Correctional Services while in custody.