Magistrate loses patience with SA police

AN ADELAIDE magistrate has warned police he will release alleged criminals from custody if they are not brought before court by 4pm the day after their arrest.

AN ADELAIDE magistrate has warned police he will release alleged criminals from custody if they are not brought before court by 4pm the day after their arrest.

Magistrate Simon Smart today criticised SA Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for long delays in processing arrests.

He had waited 4 1/2 hours for Nigel Thomas Meldrum to be presented to his court.

Meldrum, 35, was arrested on Monday over the alleged armed robbery of the Terminus Hotel, Strathalbyn.

"You might want to inform the DPP, or whoever casts their eye over (police) files, that this court will be adjourning at 4pm," Mr Smart told police prosecutors.

"You have an obligation to have defendants appear before the court as soon as practicable, and this man was arrested yesterday.

"If the file is not here (by 4pm), Mr Meldrum will be in the wind."

It is the second time in two days the court has waited in excess of four hours for persons in the overnight arrest list to appear.

On Monday afternoon, Mr Smart said he would release alleged arsonist Leon John Watts if prosecutors did not present their case by 4pm.

They did, and Watts was released on bail.

Today, prosecutors said the Meldrum case had been delayed because the file was at the Mount Barker Magistrates Court.

Mr Smart was unmoved.

"That's hardly on the moon, is it?" he said.

"I'm not waiting until the police brief arrives from Mount Barker - can't it be faxed?

"You have 15 minutes to use modern technology to receive your police brief, and then this matter will be called on."

The file arrived in court just before 4pm.

Meldrum did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody until May.