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Man remanded: Authorities seek medical report

Thursday 13 April 2023 | Written by Al Williams | Published in Crime, National

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Man remanded: Authorities seek medical report

Lucas Kamana was remanded in custody until today as probation had specific concerns about his mental wellbeing.

On Thursday last week, Kamana, who appeared on charges of unlawfully found and breaching a community service order, pleaded with the court.

Probation said he was sentenced on May 25, 2022 on charges of burglary, theft and contempt.

He reappeared in court five months later and was sentenced to serve the rest of his probation term of 12 months on community service.

Kamana was now appearing on a breach of the community service order and the probation officer asked if he could be remanded in custody.

The court heard he had been having issues with accommodation, unemployed, and had been let go from his job due to dishonesty matters.

It was recommended he undergo a mental health assessment.

“He is a risk to the community,” the probation officer said.

Kamana, standing in the dock, said: “I didn’t expect any of this.”

Justice of the Peace John Whitta told Kamana he had been released to an address and wasn’t there.

Probation staff had struggled to find him as he was supposed to be living with his mother.

“Me and my mother are not on good terms, she kicked me out,” Kamana said.

JP Whitta told Kamana he needed to stay in touch with probation.

The probation officer said while it was a condition that he stay with his mother, he had been sent to stay with another family, and again, it had not worked out.

JP Whitta said he was not a big fan of remanding people in custody without a solid reason, adding he did not want Kamana remanded beyond this week.

The probation officer again said Kamana was a high risk to the community, there had been multiple complaints from senior citizens that he had been door knocking them and asking for money.

“We know prison is not a place for him.” The matter was adjourned to April 13 and a medical report was ordered.