Trio charged with attempted rape, armed robbery

THREE men charged with armed robbery, attempted rape and causing grievous bodily harm appeared in the Waigani Committal Court yesterday and will remain in custody until their next appearance on May 2.
Eta Kure, Norman Jack and Ishmael Mave from Henganofi in Eastern Highlands allegedly attacked a couple at 8-Mile in Port Moresby on March 15, injured them and almost raped the woman.
They had dragged the woman off the road in an attempt to rape her, according to police report, and it was just by chance that one of the accused recognised her husband as a person living in the same area as him so they escaped.
The three appeared before Magistrate Ernest Wilmot and as it was a fresh case, police will continue investigations.
According to police reports, George Kaman and his wife Lucy were attacked at around 8pm while walking home after a family friend had dropped them off along the road at Duran Farm, 8-Mile.
Jack and Mave allegedly attacked George with bush knives and slashed his left forearm while he was trying to defend himself.
After witnessing the attack on her husband, Lucy tried to escape but was punched to the ground and robbed of her belongings.
The three dragged her off the road where they allegedly attempted to rape her when one of the attackers, Jack, recognised George and informed the other two that he knew the couple from where he was living.
The three then fled the scene with the couple’s belongings.
Police, with the assistance of community leaders at 8-Mile, arrested the three and returned the couple’s belongings.