Papua New Guinea lawmaker pleads not guilty in Sydney court to assaulting woman
Papua New Guinea’s sidelined Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina has pleaded not guilty to assaulting a woman during a domestic dispute in Australia
SYDNEY (AP) — Papua New Guinea's sidelined Petroleum Minister Jimmy Maladina pleaded not guilty in a Sydney court Thursday to a charge of assaulting a woman during a domestic dispute.
His lawyer Margaret Cunneen entered the plea on his behalf during his brief appearance in Waverley Local Court. Neither Maladine nor Cuneen made a statement to media waiting outside court.
Police allege he assaulted a 31-year-old woman Saturday at an address in nearby Bondi in Sydney’s expensive eastern suburbs and she suffered facial injuries. A conviction on the charge of assault resulting in bodily harm could carry a potential maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Maladina, 58, remains free on bail with restrictions on contact with the woman but there are no bail conditions that would prevent him from leaving Australia. Maladina will appear in court next on July 17 when a magistrate will set a hearing date.
