Policeman summoned to court

A TRAFFIC court magistrate has summoned a police officer to appear before him next week and explain the progress of a negligent driving case, in which a security guard was allegedly hit by a vehicle while chasing a phone thief at 4-Mile, Port Moresby.
Magistrate Paul Nii yesterday summoned arresting officer First Const Charlie Yaleni to appear next Thursday at the Waigani Traffic Court after he had failed to appear yesterday to give evidence in the trial of Samson Manda, 30, from Mambisanda, Wapenamanda in Enga.
Police Prosecutor Sgt John Wamugl told the court that he had reminded Const Yaleni in the morning to appear along with the other witnesses (who were present) but he failed to appear.
“The fact that you told him to come and he didn’t come, I will issue a summons,” Magistrate Nii told Sgt Wamugl.
“The arresting officer is summoned to appear at this court on June 3 and explain to the court the progress of the allegations regarding the defendant (Manda). Trial is vacated to June 3 at 9.30am to be continued.”
Manda is out on an extended K500 court bail.
Manda, on Independence Day last year, at around 12.45pm, was alleged to have driven a red Nissan Navara along the Hubert Murray Highway at 4-Mile heading towards the (4-Mile) roundabout from Ela Beach.
The victim, Nande Sayale, an 18-year-old security guard, was chasing a petty criminal on foot who had snatched a mobile phone from another person at the Tabari bus stop at 4-Mile.
Sayale, who had not paid attention to the oncoming traffic and was trying to cross over from the Hubert Murray highway to the 4-Mile bus stop, was allegedly hit by Manda’s car.
Manda was driving at about 60km/h.
Manda applied the brakes but nevertheless hit Sayale.
Manda surrendered to police and was later charged with negligent driving causing injury.