AN Australian army officer accused of exposing himself and asking a female PNG medical officer in Port Moresby to “have a feel” of his groin for a lump is facing a court martial. Captain William Michael Howieson, 29, is facing charges of indecency and bringing discredit to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The incident happened while he was serving as a liaison officer at the Taurama Barracks during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Leaders’ Summit in Port Moresby in November 2018. PNG Defence Force Chief Of Staff Captain Philip Polewara yesterday confirmed that the ADF officer was facing a court martial in Canberra for the alleged sexual harassment of the female PNG officer. He said while the incident happened in PNG on a PNG citizen, Capt Howieson was taken back to Australia to face their own military court martial.
Polewara said PNG officers “as witnesses are cooperating with the court martial through a video link from Port Moresby”. On Monday, the PNG medical officer told the court martial through a video link that the officer had exposed himself to her during a medical examination in which he had claimed to have a lump in his groin. She said Capt Howieson had arrived in exercise gear. When she felt no lump, he allegedly pulled his pants down a second time which she strongly objected to. She told the court it was unusual for an Australian military officer to seek medical help from a PNG military health facility. She said he later returned with an unsigned doctor’s note that asked for semen collection over five days, suggesting he needed her help. The hearing is being held in front of a five-member panel of senior ADF officers who act as a jury. The trial is expected to take nearly two weeks. TheNational/PNGfacts Next :PNG Opposition Leader Namah Exposes PM Marape's Deals Comments are closed.
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