Manioru v Regina [2011] SBHC 2; HCSI-CRC 19 of 2009 (9 February 2011)

HIGH COURT OF SOLOMON ISLANDS

Criminal Case No. 19 OF 2009

STEVEN FIUROBO MANIORU

v

REGINA

Hearing : 8 February 2011
Ruling : 9 February 2011

Mr. E.Cade for Steven Fiurobo Manioru
Mr. H. Kausimae for the Crown

RULING ON BAIL APPLICATION

Mwanesalua J;

1. This is an application for bail filed on 31 January 2011. The applicant is Steven Fiurobo Manioru who was committed for trial at the High Court, but sent to Rove Prison for safe keeping pending his trial.
   
2. The applicant is jointly charged with Thomas Erega Manioru his brother, in an information filed on 26 August 2009, for his alleged murder of David Masuru on 15 May 2009 at the Central Market in Honiara.
   
3. The application was not opposed by counsel for the respondent, and agreed that bail could be granted subject to strict conditions and surety of one thousand dollars.
   
4. The applicant has been in custody since 16 May 2009. He did not have any criminal record. There is no evidence to suggest that he would re-offend or abscond if he were to be released on bail. Most importantly, there was no direct evidence to show that the applicant caused the death of the victim.
   
5. The court will therefore grant bail to the applicant with conditions as set out in the bail document. Order accordingly.
   

THE COURT