Accused molester to stand trial

By VANESSA NIKEN
A MAN, 47, has been committed to a trial in the National Court for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old girl.
Magistrate Paul Puri Nii made the ruling in the Waigani committal court yesterday after the defendant denied the allegation when given an opportunity to say something in the Section 96 statement.
He said John Mark, from Agunambu village in Sohe, Northern, was charged with sexual touching under Section 229B (a) of the Criminal Code Act.
“Sub-section A, a person, for sexual purposes, touches his or her part of the body of a child under the age of 16 years is guilty of a crime,” he said.
“Police alleged that the defendant for sexual purposes touched with his hand the breast of the victim.”
Magistrate Nii said the issue was whether the police evidence was sufficient to make a prima facie case against Mark or police evidence was insufficient.
“Evidence shows that the victim and the defendant as well as other witnesses are known to each other,” he said.
“It was from that acquaintance the defendant touched (fondled) the victim’s breast. Evidence is sufficient to make a prima facie case against the defendant.
“Thus, evidence shows that Mark sexually touched with his hand the breast of the victim.”
It was alleged that on Oct 2, last year, at Bisini field in National Capital District, the victim was selling betel nuts and Mark went there to chew and touched her breast.
The matter was reported to police and Mark was arrested, charged and detained in the police cell.
A warrant of remand was issued for Mark to be kept in custody. The matter is adjourned to Monday.