‘Aggressive’ cop denied bail

A JUDGE has refused bail to one of the two policemen who allegedly fired shots at a senior officer’s home after he was described in court as “aggressive”.
National Court judge Justice Jim Wala Tamate denied bail for Overahai Ovex Dam because the arresting officer had described him as an aggressive person when with rogue police officers.
Justice Tamate however granted bail to his co-accused Jeremaiah Lavai after he submitted that he had a young family who depended on him.
The two were charged with discharging a firearm and attempted murder for allegedly firing shots at the home of Inspector Robert Wane on Sept 6 in Port Moresby.
Justice Tamate said the offences were serious.
“The firing of shots is reckless and could have killed a member of the police inspector’s family who were fortunately in another house at the time,” he said.
“An innocent person was also shot on the side of the road after the shooting at Insp Wane’s house.”
He told Lavai that he should behave like a policeman.
“I have given consideration to your young family who is without a father, the sole breadwinner. If it wasn’t for them, I would refuse bail,” Justice Tamate said.
He granted him a bail of K1,000 on the condition that he reports to the National Court registry every Monday between 8am and 4pm, cooperate with police in the investigations, attend court proceedings, not to interfere with any state witnesses, and not to go near Insp Wane’s home.
He is also not to leave Port Moresby without the permission of the court and not to consume alcohol.
His guarantors were told to each pay a surety of K700.