BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE hearing of evidence into the case of a Japanese national alleged for procuration of children for sexual commercial purposes has resumed at the High Court yesterday.

The accused is faced with 15 counts in relation to incidents that occurred in 2016 in Honiara.

The Public Prosecutor Sirepu Ramosaea in her opening remarks before calling the prosecution witnesses said the accused is a Japanese and is been charged with 15 counts of offending under the Penal Code on amended Sexual offending Act 2016.

She said police made an investigation following information they received that the accused engaged in sexual activities taking photographs of children believed to be of Solomon Island girls or children.

Police then searched his hotel room and seized several items including a sonny-laptop belonging to the accused.

The prosecution said in the laptop police found photographs of naked children procuring for commercial and sexual purposes for him.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and a trial date was set.

The first prosecution witness Angela Nandu told the court yesterday that when she saw the defendant taking photographs of children at Karaina sea front on a Saturday in 2016 she never suspects that anything bad would happen.

Prosecution witness said that on a Saturday in 2016 she was at the seaside doing her laundry when she saw the accused taking photos of children swimming in the sea.

The witness said she asked the accused on what he was doing and he said that he worked at the Ministry of Health at the Environment division and what he is doing is just part of his job.

“I also asked him where is he from and he told me that he is from Korea”, the witness said.

The witness also said that after he took photos he shared Lollies to the children.

Yesterday the prosecution only called two witnesses and the trial will continue today.

A private lawyer Michael Pitakaka represents the accused.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Pre-trial conference (PTC) into the case against a suspended police officer alleged for a traffic related offence occurred last year has not been conducted yesterday.

This is due to the prosecution and the defence lawyer not preparing the required PTC documents.

This is the allegation against a police officer Moffat Manelusi for crashing a police vehicle in November last year.

The Prosecution said the accused was a police officer at that time of incident when he crashed the police vehicle into a tree at a road side at the King George school area.

He however denied the allegation in his last appearance in court which was then adjourned for PTC yesterday.

Mr Manelusi is currently facing charges of reckless & dangerous driving and careless driving in relation to the incident on November 10.

DEAR EDITOR, judging by a recent news article in the Solomon Star, complete with a photograph of the landscaping and beautification work done by Solo Enviro Beautification (SEB) Charitable Trust, it is clear that our thanks are due to the SEB team for the lovely gardens that now surround the US Monument on Skyline Ridge.

Ms Sue Mackie the Director and Manager of SEB was quoted in the Solomon Star article as saying of the work at Skyline.

“This is the most visited memorial in Honiara, hundreds of people sign the visitor’s book each month to come and visit this place,”

Mentioning the work of SEB, Ms Mackie added.

“Our services have already been established in the recent past years since the organisation became an independent NGO in 2007.

“As charitable trust, however, the ability to undertake the improvements and beatify parts of Honiara is largely dependent on funds available.

“SEB is reliant on sponsorship of corporate companies that placed sign boards on roundabouts and at sponsored locations and also those who donate directly to the organisation.

“Our goal is to continue to enhance and beatify the urban centres of Solomon Islands through the planting of roadside tress, landscape gardens, parks and recreational areas.

“As a result, we have recently upgraded the Children’s Park at Rove with a grant from the NZ government, through the HCC together with a public toilet.

“And the addition of several benches and further new equipment sponsored by SEB the area has become a popular meeting and resting place”.

Ms Mackie added the SEB provides an appealing and attractive urban surroundings for residents and visitors.

She said a new management team has arrived with considerable experienced skills in both the green business and administration and finance.

“With the ultimate goal of planting thousands of trees in and around the urban centres in Solomon Islands, SEB is always looking out for opportunities to turn small parts of the city into green parks.

“The vision of a town, which has plenty of green shady spaces, is one which will lift everyone’s spirits and make us all proud to live in Honiara.

“For overseas visitors, the provision of seating, shade trees and attractive planting at tourist sites leave a happy memory of the country as they pass through our shores.

“Meanwhile, we are all waiting anxiously for the major road construction work to be completed and we will continue to provide more green plant landscaping and many trees along the route from Henderson to White River,”Ms Mackie said.”

Thank you SEB and keep up your excellent work in continuing to green and beautify the national capital.

Please help the charity with generous donor support.

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

DEAR EDITOR, I recently made a renewed appeal for new and second-hand clothing for the many orphans and elderly widows in the care of the Hearts of Hope (HOH) Charity on Malaita.

My appeal on Linkediin and on my website brought two responses today and necessities giving the potential donors the postal address to send the clothing to reach HOH.

Could I kindly request the HOH Charity representative to send me the address which I will forward.

I can be reached via the link on my website – www.solomonislandsinfocus.com or by email – [email protected].

Yours sincerely

FRANK SHORT

THE Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) warns members of public to be careful and not touch any fallen electrical lines lying on the ground during the current bad weather being experienced throughout the country.

The warning comes after a 49-year-old female died in Auki, Malaita Province over the weekend as a result of being electrocuted after touching an electrical line which had fallen on the roadside.

Provincial Police Commander, Malaita Province, Superintendent Timothy Apaesi says “The female was on her way home when she saw an electric line was lying across the road.

“She attempted to remove the line not realising that it was a live line. She fell to the ground when she touched the electrical line.”

“She was rushed to the Kilu’ufi but unfortunately she was pronounced death by the medical authorities there.

“I want to appeal to members of the public not to attempt to touch any electrical lines that may have fallen during the current bad weather but report it to the Solomon Islands Electricity Authority(SIEA) or the police.

“I would like to convey my sympathy to the family members of the deceased after the tragic sudden loss of their daughter.”

–POLICE MEDIA

POLICE in Auki, Malaita province are investigating an alleged attempted suicide involving a 60-year-old male who set fire to his own dwelling house at Kafomara village, Central Kwara’ae on January 23, 2018.

Provincial Police Commander, Malaita Province, Superintendent Timothy Apaesi says, “The victim lived alone for a few months and became depressed after his wife went to live with her daughter who was married to a man from North Malaita.

“We received a report from the community on the incident and responded accordingly and transported the victim to Kilu’ufi Hospital.

“Luckily people in the village saw what happened and rescued the man from the burning house.”

The victim is now recovering at the Kilu’ufi Hospital.

Apaesi adds: “I want to encourage members of our communities to look after each other and make sure we check our old folks and assist them should they need help so we do not have such sad incidences.”

–POLICE MEDIA