Life sentence for murder – The National

Additional 25 years for raping a victim’s wife

By BEVERLY PETER
The National Court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for killing another man.
In addition, he was sentenced to an additional 25 years in prison, which he must serve concurrently for repeatedly raping the victim’s wife.
The murder and rape occurred three years ago in Jiwaka for reasons that were not clearly explained to the court.
Judge Nicholas Miviri, who presided over the National Court in Minj last week, said both the murder of a man and the kidnapping and rape of his wife were very serious crimes committed without regard for the law.
“No one is above the rule of law; everyone must abide by the rules and scope of the law,” said Judge Miviri.
The court heard that Ben Guna was accompanied by others who ambushed a certain Philip Gilma and shot him in the forehead with a gun.
They then dismembered him, forcibly took his wife away and raped her on the way.
The woman was held captive in a village for several days before she was rescued by villagers.
Judge Miviri said there was no reason why Guna killed the man, held his wife captive and raped her.
He said any violation of the law would result in severe punishment for the offender.
“His motive has not been disclosed. Although Guna apologized, this does not outweigh the gravity of the offense caused.
“This has not undone the gravity of the crimes that led to Gilma’s death and his brutal separation from his wife, who was repeatedly raped and imprisoned,” Miviri said.
He said harsher penalties should be imposed to prevent such behavior.
“Our women are equal before the same Constitution which extends from the southern tip of Papua New Guinea to the northern tip and from the eastern tip to the western tip.
“The realm of the Constitution is supreme and protects all under its wing, and Minj, Jiwaka, is no exception.
“Those who stray from this area into the area of ​​crime will bear the full consequences of their actions,” Miviri said.
He then ordered Guna to serve a life sentence plus an additional 25 years’ imprisonment for rape.