News

Court orders psychiatric assessment for escaped prisoner

January 11, 2018 4:02 am

A prisoner who escaped from the Suva court house in December last year has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric treatment.

Kelepi Salauca appeared in the Magistrates court this afternoon charged with one count of escaping from lawful custody.

It is alleged that Salauca escaped from the court house on December 14th and fled in a stolen Silver Honda Civic Hybrid vehicle registration number LR 1603.

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He is serving time for aggravated robbery.

The matter was called this morning however it was stood down after the Magistrate asked the Legal Aid lawyer to explain the charges to him.

The matter was called again this afternoon and the Legal Aid lawyer made application to withdraw from representing Salauca as he did not wish to be represented.

However, the Magistrate refused the application and ordered the lawyer to continue representing him.

Salauca who has other matters against him did not take any plea and started to create a fuss.

He also informed the court that he has been in remand for two years.

His plea has been deferred after Police prosecution asked for a short adjournment for Salauca to undergo a psychiatric treatment.

The matter will be called on next Thursday.