A 30-YEAR-OLD serving prisoner charged with one count of arson was yesterday denied bail on the grounds that the case undermined the security of the general public.
Ravinesh Deo appeared before Magistrate Sia'iniu Fa'alogo Bull at the Magistrates Court in Labasa yesterday.
The court heard that Deo allegedly set fire to the Westpac Banking Corporation office in Labasa last month.
Deo applied for bail to allow him to seek a lawyer. He denied setting fire to the bank and alleged that police officers had assaulted him during the investigation.
The accused said police officers refused to take him to the hospital when he sustained injuries during the alleged assault.
Police prosecutor Constable Monish Chand objected to the application saying, Deo was serving a five-year term for assaulting a police officer when he committed the alleged arson.
Constable Chand said the accused was serving his term extra-murally at the Korowiri Mandir and was expected to complete it on January 14.
"We have recovered the items used for the offence and it is likely that he will commit another offence if released. It is in the best interest of the public that he is further remanded."
The court has adjourned the case to next week.