Police told to do proper job

A MAGISTRATE has told police to get proper personal details of offenders before bringing them to court to save the court’s time doing that.
Lae District Court Magistrate Tera Dawai raised the concern after a young man facing an attempted murder charge appeared in court with his age indicated on police report sheet as 20 years old, however, he claimed in court that he was 17.
Magistrate Dawai told the police prosecution to get his birth certificate and confirm with the parents his age before the court could proceed with his case.
He urged police to do their work properly and get the basic information right so it will save the court’s time in handling such serious cases.
The court heard that on Jan 8 at New Camp Two in Bulolo at around 2.30pm, defendant Clem Lukas, from Piu village in Mumeng, Bulolo allegedly attempted to murder Simon Reuben (complainant).
It was alleged that Lukas was drunk and was armed with a bush knife and went to see his girlfriend, who was at New Camp One.
As he was approaching the community health clinic, he shouted in Tok Pisin: “Ba upla wokim wanem samting lo mi” (What will you guys do to me?).
Police report stated that he walked towards a canteen and was approached by Reuben who asked him to stop what he was doing and leave.
However, Lukas allegedly cut Reuben on the shoulder blade and he fell to the ground.
He struck again and cut Reuben on the head.