Suspect in robbery case discharged
A SUSPECT in a robbery and stabbing case at Port Moresby’s Ensisi Valley on Boxing Day was yesterday discharged by the Waigani Committal Court because there was no police file and the arresting officer could not be found.
Waigani Committal Court magistrate Tracy Ganaii discharged Davis Solomon from custody and the charge of wounding Lorraine Ropa, 24.
Magistrate Ganaii made the ruling after Police Prosecutor Sgt Joseph Sangam told court that he had been trying to get in touch with the arresting officer since July to ask if a file was forthcoming.
However he couldn’t reach him so the prosecution had no evidence to offer.
She told the court that: “Solomon was arrested and has been in custody since January. Prosecutor tried to talk with the police informant, however, attempts made were unsuccessful.
There is no file and no instructions, therefore you are entitled to be discharged.
“The case has also gone past three months so you are free to go. If police have evidence in the future, they have the power and discretion to arrest you again.”
The court heard that Ropa, from West New Britain, but living at the Heduru Hostel, was walking home from a shop when she was attacked and robbed.
Solomon was later taken to Bomana prison.
4 comments
A wonderful result and great news for the tourist industry. We really need to get out there and inform potential overseas tourists how easy it is to attack women here and with absolutely no chance of prosecution. With the right advertising campaign everyone overseas with the desire to physically hurt females without any accountability will flock here in their thousands. It would potentially be worth billions of kina to our economy. How about a campaign called KNOCKTHEKRAPOUTOFMERRIS? It would be an absolute goldmine.
How in the world could they allow a criminal to go free just because a policeman is not doing his job? What is this lame excuse of “not being able to reach him”? If he is stationed at any of the police stations in NCD than why can’t the Prosecuting Officer approach his station commander to bring him on line? Any layman can do the job….what’s so hard about it? I think the policeman should be arrested instead. The victim must lay a complaint!
Put that idiot of a Policeman off the payroll and you will see him appear out of nowhere to check why he did not get paid. Typical Public Servant attitude…. Defrauding the state…not working but getting free pay.
This is exactly what the police force is lacking in professionalism, ensuring all case filing and done and completed in order for the next officer to take forward and now it has gone up to the courts only to waste time and resources to go back if they (police) will ever of just sweep it under the rug.
The poor victim is now traumatised and justice not served. ( You pay taxes year in year out to pay public servants and expect the same commitment however it’s not forthcoming.)
Just terminate the arresting officer, employ someone competent.
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