Blacklock charges cleared

By CLARISSA MOI
A COURT has dismissed all charges against the former acting managing director of PNG Power Ltd Carolyn Blacklock because of insufficient evidence.
Blacklock was charged in September with one count each of misappropriation, false pretence, forgery and conspiracy when she held the PNG Power position in 2018.
Waigani Committal Court Magistrate Paul Nii said the evidence submitted on the four charges “must be direct”.
He ordered that Blacklock’s passport be returned to her and the bail money she paid be refunded.
“The court is of the view that your appointment to PNG Power and your contract of employment was through an NEC (National Executive Council) decision,” he said.
“KCH (Kumul Consolidated Holdings Ltd) and PNG Power are inferior to NEC decisions.
“They are governed by the authorities of NEC.
“There were also allegations of conspiracy and other allegations levelled against you. But evidence must be direct, implied and assumption is not an evidence.
“Evidence of conspiracy must be direct that you were seen with someone somewhere.
“There is nothing here.”
It was alleged that between December 2018 and August 2019, Blacklock dishonestly applied K1,768,448.25 of funds belonging to PNG Power Ltd to her benefit under a fraudulent contract.
Magistrate Nii said police failed to produce satisfactory evidence to meet the elements of the allegation.
“Evidence shows that the money was lawfully paid under an existing contract of employment between (Blacklock) and PNG Power Ltd. Money within the contractual time frame.”
On the false pretence charge, Magistrate Nii said evidence suggested that Blacklock did not pretend or promise to obtain money to pay herself.
“Therefore, it is my ruling that police evidence has failed to make a serious case against the defendant by fulfilling all the elements of the offence of forgery, therefore this charge is dismissed.”