A man has been found guilty by the National Court for the manslaughter of a policeman in 2012.
Jeremmie Iko from Giri village, Bogia, Madang Province was found guilty by Justice George Manuhu last week for assaulting a policeman in his sleep.
The assault resulted in the rupturing of the policeman’s spleen, causing his death.
The court found that Iko on April 12, 2012 at East Boroko attacked the officer who was sleeping while he was under the influence of alcohol.
The court found the victim had owed Iko some money and the attack was in relation to the debt.
Manuhu said both the victim and Iko met while living in Kimbe.
He found Iko on that day repeatedly kicked the policeman to the abdomen and the head, causing his spleen to rupture however it was unknown if the victim had an enlarged spleen at that time.
He found Iko not guilty of wilful murder due to the lack of medical evidence on the victim’s spleen however he convicted him for manslaughter.
Submissions on his appropriate sentencing will be handed down on a later date.