A MAN hid in the air-conditioning vent of Turkish bulk carrier Ulusoy (IMO 9586411) in an attempt to flee from Australian justices, it has been alleged.
According to Australian Border Force, about 10.30am on Saturday 20 June, the vssel, bound for Newcastle, came to the aid of a yacht that had got into trouble in the waters off Yamba, a holiday town in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.
The ship attached a tow line to bring the yacht towards the Newcastle offshore anchorage and a 31-year-old man, who had been onboard the yacht, was provided with a cabin on the bulker.
As the large ship entered Newcastle waters about 9pm Saturday, it was discovered the tow line carrying the yacht had snapped with the yacht and the man also missing.
Officers from the Marine Area Command unsuccessfully searched the area that evening and the following day.
However, when the ship anchored at Newcastle, police brought dogs on board and were able to sniff out the man inside the air-conditioning vent.
Checks showed the man, from Peakhurst in Sydney, was in breach of his bail over sexual assault allegations and he was arrested.
During a search, seized $4435 cash and a knife.
The Peakhurst man was taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with breach of bail.
Police will allege in court the man had deliberately cut the tow line and planned to hide onboard the ship until it was due to depart Newcastle for Malaysia.
The man was denied bail and appeared before Newcastle Local Court on Monday 22 June 2020, where he was formally refused bail to appear before Sutherland Local Court.
