Sexual touching case dismissed

National

A COURT has dismissed a sexual touching charge against a 21-year-old man because police failed to provide any evidence in court.
Waigani Committal Court Magistrate Paul Puri Nii told Morris Benson from Sopa village, Mendi in Southern Highlands that he was free to go home.
He however warned Benson that police could re-charge him.
“(It) does not mean that this case is over. If the police find new evidence, they can proceed with the case again,” he said.
Benson told the court that he had been appearing in court on scheduled dates for almost six months but the case had to be adjourned because of no police evidence.
Magistrate Nii said he has the power to strike out the case. “We cannot deprive the rights of people to suffer by going and coming to court due to the delay in police (investigation),” he said.
Benson was charged after a woman reported to police that on Dec 3 last year, he pulled her into a bathroom, pushed his hand into her shirt and touched her breasts without her consent. When the girl came out of the bathroom, her elder brother saw her and belted her.
It was then reported to police.