Woman in court for allegedly cutting off water, power supplies

AN expatriate woman is facing a charge of wilful damage after allegedly shutting down water and electricity supply in a rental property in Port Moresby before leaving for holiday in China.
Jia Min Yan, 56, of Sichuan, Chendo Province in China, allegedly shut off the electricity and water supply on the property rented by Cornelis Sahuburua, damaging marine products stored in two deep freezers valued at K305,904.78.
She appeared yesterday before Magistrate Tracy Ganaii who adjourned the case to July 22. She is on a K1,000 bail. The court heard that Jia turned off the power and water supplies on Jan 24 at the property in Orea Estate, Manu in Port Moresby
Sahuburua who was renting the property alleged that Jia was in China for three weeks before returning on Feb 21. His family had to depend on electricity and water provided by neighbours.
Sahuburua, an employee of Burua Engineering Consulting Services Ltd, lodged a complaint with police.
Jia denied the allegations by Sahuburua.