A man will reappear in court today charged with breaching his bail, after he allegedly tried to leave the country by hiding in the air conditioning unit of a bulk ship.
At 10.30am on Saturday, a yacht ran into trouble in waters near Yamba, and a large vessel, headed for Newcastle came to his aid.
The 31-year-old man was taken into one of the bulk carrier’s cabins, as the ship attached a tow line to bring the yacht towards Newcastle.
As the ship entered Newcastle waters at 9 o’clock that night, the tow line carrying the yacht snapped, and those onboard the ship noticed the yacht and the man they rescued missing.
Marine Area Command officers searched the area that night, and on Sunday, but they couldn’t find the man.
The bulk carrier anchored at Newcastle, and Border Force Police extensively searched it on Monday.
At 11am that day, the man was found inside an air-conditioning vent on the boat.
Further checks revealed the man had breached his bail over an alleged sexual assault, and he was arrested.
Police also found the man carrying more than $4,000 cash and a knife, which will undergo forensic examination
The Peakhurst man was taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with breaching his bail.
It’s alleged the man had deliberately cut the tow line and planned to hide onboard the ship until it left Newcastle for Malaysia.
The 31-year-old will reappear at Sutherland Local Court today, after he appeared at Newcastle Local Court on Monday.
