Rape case struck out over reports

THE Lae District Court had to strike out an alleged rape case yesterday after police failed to provide reports in court.
The arresting officer, who was in court, was asked by Magistrate Pious Tapil to give his side of the story. The officer said two records of interview were completed but not the other two.
While asking for further adjournment to the case, the arresting officer told Tapil that due to jail breakouts at Buimo late last year, he was barred from conducting interviews with the alleged offenders at Buimo.
Police report presented in court stated that Rodney David, 28, from Kaiwe, Hagen Central, Western Highlands; Desmond Pup, 23, from Barlg village, Hagen Central, Western Highlands; Ricky Paul, 20, from Barlg village, Hagen Central, Western Highlands; and David Pori, 37 from Swandogum village, Kubalia, East Sepik were charged with sexual penetration.
The accused persons allegedly between Oct 11 and 12 last year raped an 18-year-old woman at 4-Mile, Lae. The victim was returning home from a trade store when she was held and locked up in an empty block and raped.
Magistrate Tapil, while striking out the case, said the reason given by police was not fair enough taking into account the human rights of the accused.