Update
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Three locals appeared in the Mossel Bay Regional Court today, Friday 27 September, all in separate matters, on charges relating to, among others, possession of child pornography and rape.
The first man to appear was a 42-year-old teacher from Park Primary School. He was in the regional court for a pre-trial conference. There are 19 charges against him that include rape and using a child in making child pornography.
The man was initially arrested on 22 September last year for alleged incidents that occurred from 2019 to 2020. The victims in the matter were allegedly all in the suspect's Grade 7 register class. He is currently out on R15 000 bail.
In court today, the state prosecutor, Advocate Gerda Marx told the court that although the charge sheet currently has 12 charges, there should be 19 and it will be finalised in November.
The legal representative for the man, Jaco Barnard, said in court that his client intends to plead not guilty and will enter into negotiations with the state soon. He said that the defence is awaiting cellphone records and more photographs from the state.
The matter was postponed to 9 and 10 December for trial purposes. Marx said the state intends to put forward nine witnesses, three expert witnesses and seven other witnesses. The defence said it will have four witnesses: one expert witness and three other witnesses.
The second to appear was a 45-year-old man from Bothastrand, Great Brak River. Investigators came across explicit child pornography, which he had allegedly saved on his electronic devices. He had been granted R5 000 bail, which has been extended until his next expected court appearance on 15 November for a possible pre-trial conference.
The accused's attorneys withdrew from the case and another attorney was entered into the record to represent him. In court today, the matter could not proceed as a pre-trial conference as the accused's new representative has to review the material and obtain docket copies as well as receive instructions from the client, before moving forward.
The third accused to appear was a 25-year-old man from Da Nova. Mossel Bay Advertiser previously reported that he has been accused of possessing about 48 child pornography images. A new charge sheet has since been drafted and now states that a total of 217 images were allegedly found.
He was arrested at his home on 2 February by the police's Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Mossel Bay.
The man was denied bail on 3 May following an appearance in the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court and remains behind bars. The matter was postponed for 15 November for a possible plea agreement.
Previous articles:
- Onderwyser weer in hof
- Child porn charges: Man (25) to appear
- Kinderpornografie: 2 aparte sake in die hof
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