Court refuses Bangladesh’s request to travel home
THE Court had refused bail variations made for the Bangladesh national accused of sexually abusing an 11 year-old girl in April at Lungga, East of Honiara to travel to his home country.
Deputy Chief Justice Ricky Iomea in his ruling yesterday said after he considered the submissions and evidence produced in court and the objection by the prosecution, he was not satisfied that the grounds relied upon by the accused convicted the court to grant the application.
“The application to vary condition (c) and (h) of the bail conditions imposed on April 20, 2021, is refused,” Mr Iomea ruled.
He further ruled that the accused is at liberty to request a copy of his passport’s bio-page to be provided by the Court Registry to allow him to facilitate his application for renewal of his visa and probably any flight bookings.
“He is at liberty to revisit similar application in the future.”
Lawyer representing the 41 year-old accused is seeking to vary two of his bail conditions to enable him to travel to Bangladesh.
Under condition (c) the accused had surrendered his passport to the court and under condition (h), he is not to leave Honiara and the country unless leave permission is granted by the court.
It was heard in court that the accused deposed that he is a medically diagnosed and that since his case; he had not attended to his important medical checks as appointed by his overseas medical doctors.
He also deposed that his mother had passed away and her funeral awaits his attendance and that he is required to produce his passport to relevant authorities for renewal of his permit.
The Prosecution on the other hand had objected to the bail variations and had field the statement from a local doctor confirming he attended the accused early this year and treated him.
The Crown had submitted that according to the doctor, drugs for the accused’s medical conditions are available at the hospital and private pharmacies and he can access these medications locally.
Public Prosecutor Jonathan Auga also filed a sworn statement from an Immigration officer who confirmed that the accused arrived in the country in 2016 under a short term business visa.
The Immigration Officer also confirmed that the accused is currently residing in the country as a holder of a long-term employment visa and that visa is soon to expire on 28 November 2021.
The Officer further confirmed that the application for renewal of the visa can be submitted to the Immigration division with a certified copy of the bio-page and the visa stamp page.
The accused is not required to present the physical passport booklet.
He is facing one count of persistent sexual abuse of a child.
Prosecution alleged the accused had repeatedly sexually abused the 11 year-old alleged victim over a period of time in April this year at Lungga area.
The mother of the alleged victim reported the matter to the police after she heard stories from other girls of the alleged sexual abuses on her daughter.
The alleged victim then confirmed to the mother that the accused had been doing sexual action with her but she was afraid to tell anyone about it.
Private lawyer Hubert Fugui represents the accused.
Malaysian’s plea further defers
THE Malaysian logging worker who allegedly employed two of his fellow countrymen to work at the logging camp in Makira Province without a work permit will return to court today.
This is for possible plea to a charge of employing non-citizens not authorized to work.
Tang Tung Siong was accused of employing two Malaysian nationals who did not have any work permit to work at Arua’a logging camp between 15 March this year and 12 April this year.
He is the admin officer of the Woodland Enterprise Limited.
Siong is engaging L & L Lawyers to represent him.
Man fined $4k for traffic offences
A MAN was fined a total of $4,000 after pleading guilty to five traffic offences yesterday in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court.
Kaieti Manutei was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to careless driving, failing to comply with police direction, driving unlicenced motor vehicle, driving without a driving licence and driving when under the influence of drink.
He has until 22 November to pay up his fine or failure to pay up the fine by then will result in a six month imprisonment.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea in his sentencing remarks told Manutei he was under the influence of drink and the manner in which he was driving at the material time was careless and dangerous to other road users.
“You deliberately ignored and disrespected direction from Police who were enforcing the law,” Mr Iomea said.
He added that Manutei were driving whilst he was not a holder of a valid driver’s licence and the vehicle he was driving had an expired licence.
“The aim of the Traffic Act is to ensure road safety.
“Our duty as road users is to observe and obey the traffic laws.
“You as the owner and the driver of the vehicle you have a responsibility to get a proper licence or renew the relevant licences when they are due for renewal.
“It is also your duty as a driver to always fell responsible for the safety of the public and road users when driving a vehicle on the road,” Mr Iomea further added.
He reminded the accused that Police Officers are responsible for enforcing the law and it is his duty to support them and respect them.
“You have failed these duties and consequently, you are now facing punishment before this court.
“The Court will not only impose a sentence as punishment but a sentence that will deter you and other like-minded people from breaking the traffic rules and to remind the public that the Courts will not tolerate those who decide to put the safety of road users at risk by driving in similar circumstances in the future.”
The incident occurred on 4 February this year between 3am and 4am.
Police officers at the Kukum Traffic Centre sighted double cabin Hilux driven by the accused leaving the Supreme Casino’s main gate at Kukum.
Manutei drove towards the Kukum Junction in front of the Police Station and made a sudden U-turn and headed in the westerly direction.
The Police Officers followed the accused’s vehicle and intercepted it at the Commonwealth Street, Point Cruz and confronted him.
It was heard that one of the officers then breathalysed the accused and the result showed he has presence of alcohol.
One of the officers then got into Manutei’s vehicle and ordered him to drive to Kukum Police Station but Manutei refused and instead drove down to White River.
The court heard that police officer got out of the vehicle when the vehicle slowed down towards the 02 Bus Stop.
Manutei drove off after the officer went out but he was later arrested.
Public Solicitor’s lawyer Donation Houa represented Manutei while Public Prosecutor Abel Maelanga appeared for the Crown.
