Man arrested after missing court appearances

A MAN, who missed two of his court appearances last month, was taken into Correctional Services (CS) custody yesterday after he appeared in court.
Phillip Tambor, 26, from Manam in Bogia, Madang, appeared before Magistrate Pious Tapil in the Lae District Court after he was arrested in Madang for breaching his bail condition.
Tambor did not turn up in court (Lae) on Aug 30 and Sept 6.
Police reports indicate that Tambor and eight other men, including Madang Mayor Ismael Yama, 27, from Madang and a ward councillor Matthew Madeler, 32, from Kokopo, East New Britain, were arrested in Lae on Aug 8 for allegedly having in their possession illegal drugs (marijuana).
The court heard that Tambor was apprehended on Sept 23 in Madang after a warrant of arrest was issued by the Lae District Court for him and the other seven individuals who were absent for their hearing on Sept 6.
Magistrate Tapil told Tambor to return to court on Friday to explain his absence.
Police prosecutor Sgt Vincent Suakai asked the defence counsel to explain why Yama and Madeler had failed to appear in court for their third hearing on Sept 6.
The court was previously told that the two men had missed the court appearance to attend a provincial government meeting in Madang.
The defence counsel asked the court to adjourned while they confirmed their clients’ claim.
Yama and Madeler were each granted a K3,000 National Court bail.
The other five accused who were on K300 court bail are: Kapinias Junior Umong, from Rabaul, East New Britain; Philemon Albert, 23, from Malaguna, Rabaul, East New Britain; Pedro Tobi, 21, from Nawaeb, Morobe; Henry Michael, 29, from Yabob, Madang; and, Tim Willie, 28, from Kainantu, Eastern Highlands.
Yama is also facing other charges of being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and live ammunition.
Umong is also facing an additional charge of being in possession of pornographic materials (pictures in his phone).
The case was adjourned to Oct 25.