Bidar strikes out fraud-related case

MAGISTRATE Cosmas Bidar has struck out a fraud-related charge against a man involving more than K3000 because police failed to serve him files on time.
Alois Kimo appeared before the Waigani Committal Court charged with obtaining money by false pretence. He allegedly tried to defraud former Anglimp-South Waghi MP Jamie Maxton-Graham with K3118.30.
Bidar said every person charged with an offence had a right by law to have his or her case dealt with within a reasonable time – three months being sufficient for police to have files completed. “More than three months have gone now and there were no instructions from the arresting officer and no file being served to the defendant,” Bidar said.
Bidar ordered a refund of his K1000 bail money.
Kimo first appeared for mention on February 11 this year.