Cutmore receives additional charges, case adjourned

AUSTRALIAN pilot David John Cutmore facing criminal charges in relation to his alleged involvement in the drug bust outside Port Moresby was read his additional charge under the Criminal Code.
Waigani Committal Court Magistrate Tracey Ganaii read his charge of money laundering and terrorist financing under Section 508B (1) (3) (f) of the Criminal Code which he understood and adjourned his case to Sept 24 for mention.
Cutmore, 52, was alleged to have on July 26 at Papa Lealea village in Kairuku/Hiri, Central, dealt with property being cash in the amount of AU$42,300 (K147,387) by bringing the said property into Papua New Guinea.
The money is criminal property and Cutmore reasonably should have known its nature.
The case was adjourned for two weeks because Cutmore’s lawyer, Agnes Peter, from the Public Solicitors office, raised concern regarding long adjournments.
She said a two-week adjournment would be proper because all defendants had a right to be brought before court after no more than 15 days.
Peter said it was imperative that Cutmore be charged and processed promptly as he was likely to be prosecuted when he returned to Australia.
Boas Binuali, from prosecutions, did not have any objections to the adjournment.
“My application to the court was for a month’s adjournment but since the counsel asks for two weeks, I do not have any objections,” Binuali said.
He raised concerns regarding shorter adjournments of remand cases.
“We are mindful that in most cases, evidence is usually not ready until almost reaching the full three months,” he said.
“(Attending court) may have its own challenges. “
Meanwhile, the cases of the Italian yacht owner and the three nationals were transferred to the Central Committal Court.