Seven remandees escape

 SEVEN high-risk remandees from Kerevat Jail in East New Britain are at large after they escaped recently.

Acting provincial police commander Chief Insp Peter Kusup said they were among 10 others who were taken to Kokopo police station to appear in court on Feb 17.

He said along the way at a creek near Kairak at Kerevat, the remandees kicked open the iron bars on the Correctional Services vehicle and escaped.

The other three chose to remain in the vehicle and did not escape.

The seven identified are Steven Rerem from Bitapabeke village in Kokopo district, Ben Joshua from Naru village in New Ireland charged with stealing, Robin Ezikel from Ulagunan village in Kokopo district charged with attempted murder, Ernest Kilala from Vunalaka village in Gazelle district charged with attempted murder, Henry Warkia from Nguvalian village in Kokopo district charged with robbery, Himson Tosino from Uvol in Pomio district charged with break and enter and Sione Joel from Heganofi in Eastern Highlands charged with break and enter and stealing. 

Kusup said it was possible that the escapees would turn up at their respective homes and appealed to parents to bring them in. Kusup said it was possible that the escapees would turn up at their respective homes and appealed to parents to bring them to the ward leaders and church leaders so they could be brought back to police to face the law.

Meanwhile, another escapee Willie Naru from Malaguna 1, Rabaul, was sentenced to eight months in jail for possession of ammunition and slapped with court fines of being in possession of homemade gun K400 and for escaping from lawful custody.