Warrant issued for expat

 THE Committal Court in Waigani has issued a warrant of arrest for an expatriate who failed to appear in court.

Michael Blackwood from New Zealand is facing a charge of assault causing bodily harm. He allegedly  assaulted nightclub security guard Kavora Lare in Port Moresby last month.

Magistrate Mekeo Gauli issued the order last Thursday after police prosecutor Sandra Holland made an application in court for a warrant to be issued.

Holland told the court that Blackwood was present in court with his lawyer on Monday. But they failed to return on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Gauli ordered that Blackwood’s bail of K500 be set aside.

Blackwood was charged after the incident at a hotel in Port Moresby in the early hours of January 18.

Lare suffered multiple bruises, swelling to his face and cuts on the left eye lid.