Court strikes out Aussie’s case

A magistrate has struck out Australian lawyer Steven O’Brien’s case after police failed to provide evidence for his fraud-related charges.
Waigani Committal Court magistrate John Kaumi freed O’Brien, 47, who was charged with conspiracy to defraud, misappropriation and stealing K3.1 million belonging to the Flying Doctors Trust Account.
Kaumi dismissed the charges and ordered a refund of his bail money yesterday after Senior Constable Sandra Holland said there was no instruction from the police prosecutor in charge of the case.
The lawyer representing O’Brien said more than three months had elapsed yet there was no sign from police whether the files were ready.
He said more than enough time was given to police to investigate and complete the files.
“There has been continuous delay of the case with same outstanding excuses of files not yet ready,” the lawyer said.
Kaumi agreed with the lawyer, saying three months was reasonable time.
Police alleged that between Aug 24, 2004 and Nov15, 2015, O’Brien pretended to the Investment Promotion Authority and Ian John Proctor the director of Pioneer Health Services Ltd.
He was alleged to have stolen and misappropriated K3,126,830 belonging to the company from judgement debts owed to Pioneer Health Services Ltd that came into a law firm on a solicitor-client basis, the property of Pioneer Health Services Ltd.