2 Dec 2014

Convicted PNG MP pleads for lenient sentence

2:58 pm on 2 December 2014

The convicted MP for Komo-Margarima in Papua New Guinea, Francis Potape, has pleaded for mercy in the National Court, and asked for a non-custodial sentence.

M Potape was convicted in October after it was found that a joint district planning and budget priorities committee meeting he chaired had conspired and misappropriated more than 100,000 US dollars.

In court yesterday, the MP apologised to the court and asked the judge to be lenient, saying his jailing would cause hardship for his family and the people of his district, which required his leadership.

The Post Courier reports that Potape asked the judge to impose a non-custodial penalty, saying he had fully repaid the money.

Justice Salika reserved his ruling and said he would give a decision on the sentence before December the 19th.