TWO police officers on trial for allegedly assaulting a 17-year-old boy at the Watchhouse at the Central Police Station in Honiara in 2020 will return to the Honiara Magistrate Court today.
This is for the continuation of their trial before Principal Magistrate, Fatima Taeburi.
Lawrence Moli and John Tatal are on trial for one count of Assault Causing Actual Bodily Harm.
Their matter was listed for the prosecution to confirm when the complainant will be available in court.
Public Prosecutor, Myrella Cleven, told the court that the complainant is expected to arrive today on a flight from Kirakira, Makira-Ulawa Province.
The defence counsel, Emi Rusi from the Public Solicitor Office had no issue with the trial continuing today.
Principal Magistrate, Fatima Taeburi, also had another part-heard trial listed before her yesterday.
When Magistrate Taeburi asked about the number of prosecution witnesses yet to testify, Ms Cleven said they only have the complainant, one police officer and a medical doctor.
Magistrate Taeburi then adjourned the matter to today for the continuation of the trial.
The prosecution already called four witnesses, which included the complainant’s mother, two police officers and the complainant’s friend, when the trial started some weeks ago.
The trial was later halted to wait for the availability of the complainant who is a student.
The offence occurred on the Christmas Eve of 2020.
The prosecution alleged the complainant, who is also a police officer’s son, was brought to the Watchhouse by his father for safe-keeping for misbehaving after taking alcohol.
At the Watchhouse, the complainant also misbehaved and refused to cooperate with officers and it was then that the prosecution said the two defendants and other officers assaulted him (complainant).
The complainant was said to have sustained injuries from the assault.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
