South West man released from custody after a ‘data entry error’ saw him spend a week in jail without cause

A South West man who spent a week in jail without cause after a “data entry error” has been released from custody. Jason Andrew Hope, 51, appeared in Bunbury Magistrates Court via video link from custody last week with a range of charges listed for negotiations, and a family violence restraining order breach charge for a “mention only”. The court was told Mr Hope had bail on all other charges, with the matter holding him in custody a “flawed” case which had no cause to exist. Mr Hope was in custody after allegations he had breached an order, but the court was on Thursday told the restraining order was not in effect after having been cancelled. The magistrate said it was “very frustrating to find out (Mr Hope) should not have been charged in the first place”. “A data entry error has resulted in Mr Hope being remanded in custody,” the magistrate said. “(The charge) has no prima facie basis.” Mr Hope was slated for release with the charge dropped, but will remain on bail for other charges. He is expected to appear on January 30 on those matters. He took the appearance as an opportunity to have his bail conditions changed to remove the drug and alcohol testing conditions, as well as to remove a curfew. Mr Hope — who works in Nannup for an arborist — said he had “never had a beer” with his father, something he now wanted to do before his father passes away. “I’m just happy to go home,” he said. His week in custody, the court was told, would be taken into account on a potential future sentencing.