Aussie stalker denied bail in Cape court

2011-02-05 09:25

Johannesburg - An Australian man was denied bail in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Friday after he was arrested for allegedly plotting to kill a Cape Town resident.

Western Cape police spokesperson Ricardo Davids said: "His bail application was turned down and he will appear again in court again on Tuesday."

Shumsheer Singh Ghumman, 32, who lives in the UK, faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, malicious damage to property and attempted arson.

He was arrested at a restaurant in Long Street two weeks ago for allegedly setting fire to Hannah Rhind's family's home in Clifton, Davids said.

Ghumman met Rhind in 2009 and the two became friends.

Rhind later opened a case of harassment against Ghumman for stalking her and he was convicted of harassment in a UK court.

Ghumman allegedly petrol-bombed Rhind's family's home in Clifton and also plotted to kill a Cape Town resident.

"The attack on Rhind's family is apparently pay-back for that charge in the UK," Davids said.

He could not say who the target of the plot was.

- SAPA