David John Cutmore

He is charged with two counts of smuggling prohibited goods under the Customs Act of 1951.

In April, Cutmore pleaded guilty and was fined K37, 000 for breaching two charges under the Civil Aviation Act.

The 53 year-old Australian, appeared briefly at the Central Committal Court this morning. He looked to be in an ill state as he supported himself with crutches.

The customs officer in charge of this matter did not appear in court thus the matter was adjourned to September 23th.

COVID-19 Pandemic Controller and Police Commissioner, David Manning, said Cutmore and four others appeared before the Waigani District Court yesterday and their cases were adjourned to later this month.

Manning said Cutmore and 52-year-old Italian Carlo D’ Attanasio, and three other Papua New Guineans, appeared briefly before the Waigani District Court and have been remanded in custody to appear again on 25th August 2020 for plea.

He appeared at the District Committal Court this afternoon, before Magistrate Tracy Ganaii.

Police found him to be an illegal in the country, without a valid visa and passport, and operating a black flight out from North Queensland, Australia.

He was arrested and charged with one count of ‘illegal entry’.

At the Committal Court this afternoon, Cutmore was refused bail and fined for K3,000.

The accused will be deported when that is paid.

Failure to pay the fine will result in 4 months of hard labour at the Bomana Correctional Facilities.