Sharp granted bail

 THE National Court in Kokopo yesterday granted Captain Peter Sharp, the owner of Rabaul Shipping, bail for  K2000 .

Sharp and the captain of the stricken mv Kimbe Queen, Eugene Kaupao, were charged on Monday and locked up at the Kokopo police station.

They were both refused bail by the arresting officers.

Sharp’s lawyer, Jacqueline Marubu from Solwai Lawyers, advised the court yesterday that her client was still locked up.

She said on Monday when her client was charged, she was referred to the Assistant Commissioner Police for NGI by the arresting officer with regards to bail.

Marubu said the urgent application for bail was filed with the National Court as her client was ill and being in custody would worsen his condition.

State prosecutor  Lukara Rangan said the state did not object to the applicant being granted bail as it was the discretion of the court.

Rangan said Sharp has been complying with his previous bail conditions regarding the mv Rabaul Queen case. In that case he is out on K5000 bail. 

Justice Salatiel Lenalia said since Sharp has been complying with his current bail conditions, the court ordered that he be granted bail for K2000, with conditions to be put in place by his lawyer.

Kaupao was still held in custody as his files were not ready in time yesterday.

 His bail application would be heard today.