22 Apr 2010

Police aloofness lets accused PNG warders walk free

1:11 pm on 22 April 2010

Three Papua New Guinea prison warders who allegedly helped 12 criminals escape from jail have been set free because the police prosecutors have failed to prepare their case.

A magistrate in Port Moresby, Fred Tomo, says he had no option but to release the warders charged with aiding last January's escape of bank robber William Kapris and 11 other high-profile criminals.

He says the trio should not languish in custody waiting for the police to get their case ready.

The police had been given three months to prepare a case and did not deserve another adjournment.