Saturday, 10 October 2009

Accused in jetski fatality posts bail


(Post by CAAI News Media)

Friday, 09 October 2009 15:03 Chrann Chamroeun

A SOUTH African national accused of involuntary manslaughter following a jetski accident last month has been released on bail, court officials have confirmed.

Andre Bester, 27, was released Monday, Preah Sihanouk provincial Investigating Judge Ly Sokha said Wednesday.

He wouldn’t confirm the conditions of Bester’s release. However, a South Africa-based newspaper previously reported that Bester was ordered not to leave Cambodia until he is cleared of charges in connection with the death of his friend, Paul Hutchins.

Bester was arrested after Hutchins died September 18 when the two friends were riding jetskis off the coast of Sihanoukville.

“[Bester] collided with his friend because there was a big wave and he was unable to see where he was going,” provincial police Deputy Chief Seang Kosal told the Post last week.

If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Bester faces a sentence of up to three years in prison.

The South African newspaper quoted Bester’s sibling, Bryan, as saying that his brother was “doing OK”.

“My brother is traumatised by this unnecessary experience, but my Dad says he is feeling much better since his release,” Bryan Bester was quoted as saying in The Times of Johannesburg.

The regional South African embassy based in Bangkok last week requested that Cambodia provide official details of the charge against Bester.

A spokesperson in the office of the South African ambassador told the Post this week that Cambodian officials had yet to respond to the request.

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