'Dr. Death' in good spirits after getting bail: Lawyer

Melbourne, July 22 : A lawyer of Dr Jayant Patel, who acquired the sobriquet "Dr Death" for botching up several surgeries, has said that his client is in good spirits after bail was granted to him.

Dr. Patel's solicitor, Arun Raniga, said his client would be in custody overnight because he did not immediately have the money to post the deposit.

"That's what I need to speak to his wife about," Raniga said.

"He's in good spirits. He was happy with the result," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Raniga, as saying.

Dr. Patel was granted bail on Monday after being formally charged with 14 offences, including three of manslaughter, over his tenure at Bundaberg Hospital.

Patel was expected to stay in jail last night after a Brisbane magistrate, Brian Hine, made his bail subject to the posting of a 20,000 dollars deposit, which could not be arranged last night.

Bail was opposed, and Hine imposed strict reporting, living and travel conditions to address the prosecution's concerns. Patel may not leave Queensland or contact any witnesses, and must surrender his passport.

In granting bail, Hine acknowledged the serious offences and the public's interest in Patel not fleeing, but said Patel had consented to his extradition and any trial was at least 12 months away.

After arriving on an early-morning flight from Los Angeles, Dr. Patel was followed by news helicopters as police drove him from the airport.

He arrived at the watchhouse a short time later, and appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates' Court dock at 2.20p.m., wearing an apricot shirt and dark trousers. He was handcuffed and glanced briefly at the public gallery, before looking down for most of his time in court.

Patel was remanded to appear on September 1. He is now formally charged with 14 offences: three of man slaughter, two of causing grievous bodily harm, one of negligent acts causing harm, seven of fraud and one of attempted fraud.

ANI