Warrant for non-appearance

National
Paul Puri Nii

POLICE have asked the Waigani Committal Court to issue an arrest warrant for a 48-year-old woman charged with stealing by false pretence for not appearing in court.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Iga told the court yesterday Rose Walea, from Morea village in Pangia, Southern Highlands, had missed four scheduled appearances and asked the court to issue the warrant.
Magistrate Paul Puri Nii adjourned the matter to Aug 23 for review.
Walea is alleged to have convinced Morata store owner Elis Kay on May 29 that she could sew meri blouses and had a Fijian woman who would buy them for K200 each.
Walea was able to get K2,190 in cash and store goods from Kay over a period of time but never gave her a return on her investment or meri blouses to sell.
Kay later realised that Walea had conned her and reported the matter to police.
Walea was questioned by police and admitted to lying and taking Kay’s money and store goods.
She was arrested and charged with stealing by false pretense under Section 404 (1) (a) of the Criminal Code.