Relatives warned not to interfere with witnesses

A MAGISTRATE has issued a warning to relatives of a man charged with sexual penetration of a minor not to interfere or threaten witnesses or they will face the consequences of contempt of court processes.
Lae Committal Court Magistrate Pious Tapil issued the warning on Friday after he was informed by police prosecutor Snr Const Nathan Opha that the arresting officer investigating the alleged offence had requested for the case to be withdrawn after family members of the defendant had threatened the victim and her family.
The defendant is the victim’s uncle whom she was staying with during school holidays when she was allegedly molested.
Magistrate Tapil told the court that the investigation report was almost ready for the court to make its decision on the evidence.
However, the request from the investigation officer for withdrawal due to threats was serious, he said.
He said the matter was before the court and it could not be withdrawn due to the nature of the offence being prevalent in PNG communities.
“It would be contempt of court and that justice would not serve its purpose,” Magistrate Tapil said.
“Issuing threats on victims of sexual penetration cases or other witnesses to disrupt court processes is a very serious offence.”
He ordered that the arresting officer and the complainant be in court to identify those who issued the threats so that a warrant for their arrest could be issued for interference with court processes and police investigation.
Magistrate Tapil told the defendant from Wanare village, Southern Highlands, that issuing threats to State witnesses was “a very serious offence”.
The court requested for the complainant and the arresting officer to be in court on Nov 23.