Rape cases struck out

TWO rape cases and a conspiracy case were struck out by the Lae Committal Court on Friday because files were not ready despite police being given ample time to complete them.
Senior Magistrate Pious Tapil struck out the information for the cases and discharged the defendants.
Magistrate Tapil warned Dudley Andrew, 21, from Kitilam village, Markham in Morobe, who was facing a rape charge and Ada John, 32, from Chuave in Chimbu, also facing a rape charge, and Sonny Mino, 45, from Selepet in Kabwum, Morobe, facing conspiracy and fraudulent charges, to refrain from repeating their mistakes. “Police is given enough time and must file on time or the arresting officer must appear in court to explain why the delay,” he said in court.
He said the court needs to be updated on the progress of the police investigations on cases before the court.
Police brief in court for Andrew alleged that on April 30, the defendant, being a security guard with a company at the time, committed the offence on an under-16 mute girl at Ganef village in Huon Gulf, Morobe.
The court heard that the victim allegedly followed Andrew out on the road and finally the defendant took her into the bush and raped her.
When arrested by police and interrogated, Andrew admitted the offence.
Police alleged that on June 30 at Yongo Hetwara, 2-Mile in Lae, John raped a 17-year-old disabled girl and later gave her K10.
The girl reported the matter to her mother who reported it to 3-Mile police.
John was arrested.
Magistrate Tapil said raping disabled children was a very serious crime that was growing in the society.
When striking out the conspiracy and fraudulent cases against Mino, Magistrate Tapil said people hiring vehicles and then selling them without the owner’s consent was an emerging offence.
The court heard that Mino allegedly conspired with another person to sell a Toyota LandCruiser.
It heard that last Oct 31, Mino and his accomplice approached a buyer and wanted to sell the vehicle for K70,000.
Last Nov 2, Mino was alleged to have received an upfront payment of K20,000 from the buyer and went into hiding without giving the vehicle.
The matter was reported to police and Mino was arrested.