A 27-year-old man from the East New Britain Province has pleaded guilty in court for threatening a Committal Court magistrate at his place of residence in Port Moresby.
Michael Taria from Kuraip village, Kokopo, went before the Boroko District Court on Tuesday where his charges were read and explained to him. He pleaded guilty to all three charges.
Taria was arrested on Jan 12, 2017 and charged with using threatening and insulting words under section 7(b) of the Summary Offense Act. He was also charged with throwing missile, a charge under section 28 (2) (a) of the Summary Offense act.
The court is expected to hear submissions on his penalty or sentence on Jan 26.
The court also expects police to file Pre-sentence reviews before the matter returns to court. The complainant (the magistrate) in the case is also expected to file a victim impact statement before the matter returns to court.
In this case, the defendant in court, Taria was in the Magisterial Services compound on Nov 20, 2016 when he without any reason, swore the magistrate (known) and others in the compound and threatened that he would “kill them”.
The insult and threats took place after they intervened to stop the nuisance he was causing in the premises which houses staff from the magisterial services.
A full can of beer was also thrown in the direction of the magistrate’s wife after she also attempted to calm the defendant down.
He was arrested by police the next day and admitted to committing the offense to police.
He is on an extended bail.