Child porn: Couple given bail
2003-12-08 19:06
Durban - Bail was reinstated on Monday for the Russian couple accused of sexually abusing two of their children.
Durban regional court magistrate F B Mohamed ruled that another magistrate had erred in revoking the couple's bail, based on an affidavit filed by investigating officer detective Brad Varley that suggested the couple posed a flight risk.
Varley had said members of the Russian Orthodox Church
were raising funds to enable the couple to flee the country aboard a Russian ship.
Magistrate Anand Maharaj revoked bail without conducting an inquiry required in terms of Section 68(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act, denying them the opportunity to defend themselves.
Mohamed said: "The information is without foundation and bail is therefore reinstated."
The man initially received had bail of R100 000 and his wife R50 000. Their bail conditions forbid them from entering any port or airport.
The couple, who cannot be named, were arrested in August by the child protection unit who are claimed to have confiscated 500 pornographic videos, 300 home videos, 79 DVDs, a laptop and a digital camera from the pair's Bluff home, which has
since been seized by the asset forfeiture unit.
The matter was adjourned to December 17.