Police urge fugitive groom to turn himself in

A BRIDE who should be honeymooning has lost $10,000 she put up as bail money, along with the love of her life, who did a runner to avoid court.

A BRIDE who should be honeymooning has lost $10,000 she put up as bail money and the love of her life after he did a runner to avoid court.

Police have vowed to get their man — Murat Shomshe, 33 — who was controversially released on weekend bail so he could attend his wedding.

He hasn’t been seen for more than a week since ducking out on bride Belinda Dulevski while she was in the shower and heading for the hills.

Ms Dulevski’s mother, Vaibe, told the Herald Sun her daughter had no idea of Shomshe’s planned escape, saying: “She was not aware of what was going on. She didn’t help him.”

BRIDE LOSES HER MAN, POLICE VOW THEY WON’T

Bailing Shomshe the day before the July 25 wedding, County Court judge Richard Maidment admitted he had concerns, including about Shomshe’s potential access to firearms.

But he freed him, ordering he surrender at court on the Monday morning to return to custody.

Murat Shomshe with bride Belinda Dulevski who he ran out on. Picture: Facebook

Police Association boss Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles said police wouldn’t stop until Shomshe was back in custody.

“The bride didn’t get her man, but rest assured the police will get theirs.

“You are on borrowed time — we will get you,” he said.

The case has sparked calls for an investigation and for immediate changes to the Bail Act.

Ms Dulevski, who is understood to be Shomshe’s second wife, remained holed up in her Epping home on Monday.

Five armed plainclothes police officers visited her for a short time in the afternoon.

Police have urged Murat Shomshe to turn himself in.

She emerged just briefly looking tired and emotional.

Police allege that Shomshe has links to outlaw motorcycle gangs and warned people against approaching him under any circumstances.

Friends or relatives with any information, or anyone who sees him, are urged to contact police.

Victoria Police’s fugitive taskforce has taken over the search for Shomshe.

Detective Senior Sergeant David Snare said officers had visited Shomshe before 6am on July 27, ahead of his scheduled court appearance.

It was part of a check he was complying with bail conditions, which included an overnight curfew.

“We would make an appeal for Mr Shomshe to contact police and to surrender himself,” Det Sen-Sgt Snare said.

“His history has some violence in it and that’s why we are making this appeal now.”

Police leave the house of Belinda Dulevski. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Premier Daniel Andrews said the decision was evidence of the system not working as it should, and it would be investigated by a current review of the bail system.

“This error clearly reminds us that we need to be vigilant, and our bail review is exactly the right thing to do,” he said.

“I’d say to our judges, to our magistrates, to anybody involved in our justice system, that it is our job to learn from every one of these cases.”

Shadow attorney-general John Pesutto said the case “proves the need for urgent action to change the Bail Act’’.

“The Coalition has been calling on the Andrews Government since January to toughen up the Bail Act to avoid cases like the one we’ve seen today,’’ he said.

Shomshe had been at Barwon Prison before moving to Port Phillip. He is known to frequent the Epping, Altona, Coburg and Werribee areas.

Prosecutors on Monday told the County Court they would apply to vacate a trial that was listed to start.

But Judge Mark Taft said he would adjourn the trial until Tuesday, because if Shomshe were apprehended the case could proceed.

The court heard a female co-accused who was on bail was arrested and remanded last week after being charged with fresh offences.

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