Policemen charged with assault of 13-year-old boy in West New Britain

TWO constables, who allegedly assaulted a teenager in West New Britain last month, appeared for mention in the Waigani Committal Court yesterday.
George Sete and Konnie Kuk, who were attached to the police Air Tactical Wing, were each charged with one count of unlawful assault causing bodily harm.
The court was told that the actions of the policemen were filmed by an unnamed civilian who posted it on Facebook.
Police said the video went viral which caught the attention of overseas media organisations like SBS and ABC News.
It was alleged that the world was questioning the integrity of the Royal PNG Constabulary and people were calling for immediate investigations to be conducted into the actions of the two policemen.
Police alleged that on July 28, at Bali Bridge in Kimbe, West New Britain, Sete and Kuk assaulted a 13-year-old
Ben Francis and caused him bodily harm.
Francis was on his way to a stadium in Kimbe town for his soccer game when he came across a commotion.
He went over to see what it was about when a group of policemen chased some youths whom they accused of stealing a mobile phone belonging to a woman at the Talasea Bus stop in Kimbe.
In fear, he set off towards the Bali Bridge. While there, he decided to go for a swim. Not long after a car bearing the plate number KAI 838 approached.
Two policemen (Sete and Kuk) jumped out, pulled Francis out of the sea and started assaulting him.
Magistrate Cosmas Bidar extended their bails and adjourned the matter to Friday.