Porn case ruling today

The Boroko District Court is expected to hand down its ruling today on a case involving an elderly public servant who was found in possession of pornographic items in his mobile phone.

The 58-year-old man (name withheld) from New Ireland province appeared in court on Monday. However, his case was adjourned to Tuesday because the police prosecutor handling his case was not present in court.

Magistrate Alex Kalandi, in adjourning the case, told the defendant yesterday that his ruling on verdict was ready to be delivered.

The defendant was arrested on Oct 21, 2016, and charged with being in possession of pornographic articles.

He was charged under section 25(1) (A) of the Summary Offense act. This charge has a penalty fine not exceeding K2,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both.

If he was arrested and charged under the recently passed Cybercrime act, for allegedly being in possession of pornography material, the defendant could face harsher penalties of 15 years’ imprisonment or fined K25,000, or both.  

It is alleged that on Sept 30, 2016, he had in his possession two pictures of pornographic nature stored in a Samsung mobile phone.

His charge was read and explained to him in court on Nov 11, 2016.  He told the court then that the materials were made for personal purposes and not for public consumption.

He remains on a bail of K300 with conditions.

Author: 
Sally Pokiton