The PNGDF soldier who was arrested and charged for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm has been filed K1,000 by the Boroko District Court.
Joe Mondo went before Magistrate Maristella Painap on Thursday for his penalty sentence after he earlier pleaded guilty to the offense.
He was arrested and charged with being in possession of a pistol without a license, a charge under Section 27 (a) of the Firearms Act.
Mondo was has a rank of Lieutenant in the army was told by Magistrate Painap that his actions on New Year’s eve which led to the stand-off between Police and Soldiers at the Boroko Police station did not reflect on his rank.
The court said that the 28 year-old man from Kundiawa in the Chimbu Province while driving a Totoyota Camry of New Year’s Eve ran over a road block along the Taurama road which was set up by the NCD Foot beat patrol. A search by police was conducted on the car where the unlicensed pistol was discovered in his possession. He was also found to be under the influence of alcohol.
“The circumstance arising does not reflect a man of your ranking. You allowed your emotions to come in and lose your self-control. The incident caused or created the stand-off between members of the two disciplinary forces at the Boroko Police Station. You failed to uphold the rules of engagement,” Magistrate Painap told Mondo.
The firearm will be held in custody of the clerk of court for 40 days and Magistrate Painap said the exhibit can be used to assist police in their ongoing investigation in consultation with the Clerk of court.
He is expected to pay the fine of K1,000 by close of business on Thursday or can be jailed up to three months.