A man accused of faking school bus inspection certificates is back in custody after breaching the conditions of his release.
Peter James Roche, 47, had been released from custody on a surety. The woman who had provided that surety applied to the court Monday morning to have it withdrawn. Provincial court judge Lois Skanes granted her application.
Roche was arrested Sunday after allegedly breaching the conditions of his release Saturday night by breaking his 11 p.m. curfew and failing to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
He made a quick appearance before Skanes Monday afternoon, when duty counsel Timothy O’Brien said Roche was “working on a bail plan” and asked for the matter to be set over until Tuesday.
Roche is facing a charge of obstructing justice and 44 charges of forgery after he allegedly issued false inspection certificates for dozens of school buses.
He and his company, Roche’s Automotive Services of Brookfield Road in the west end of St. John’s, are also facing 44 counts under the province’s Highway Traffic Act of unlawfully issuing vehicle inspection certificates without properly inspecting the vehicles.
Police have said the owner of the buses is not believed to have been involved in the alleged fraud.
Roche pleaded not guilty to the charges last April, but his case is still before the court.
A warrant for his arrest was issued last September after he didn’t show up for a scheduled court date.
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