Members of the disciplinary forces must demonstrate maturity when dealing with domestic issues, a judge of the National Court said.
“Assaulting wives and partners is a sign of sick and weak intellect and far too many soldiers and members of the disciplined force are doing that to their wives and partners.”
Justice Panuel Mogish of the Waigani National Court today made these remarks when delivering his decision on a sentence against a soldier with a 20 year service record.
He said soldiers who assault their wives and partners are a disgrace to the uniform they wear and should be dismissed as a matter of urgency to protect the integrity of the army.
“You abused your training when you assaulted your wife. You treated her like an enemy and applied brutal force to attack her, leaving her with fractures to her arms and legs,” he told George Hanio in court.
“What you did to your wife is disgraceful but is common among serving members of the disciplined force.
“Disciplined soldiers are trained to show restraint in volatile situation in war time. The application of force must be appropriate and relevant to the prevailing circumstances,” he added when sentencing Hanio to three years in jail.
That sentence was suspended and he was put on two years good behavior bond. He had initially assaulted his wife because she was having an affair and slept out of the matrimonial home.
They have since reconciled since he paid a compensation of K4000 to the woman.