City cop accused of raping prostitute
A Hilton police officer has been charged for allegedly raping a
prostitute
Kailene Pillay | 1 November 2013 13:21
A policeman who lives in
Hilton has been charged with raping, robbing and attempting to murder a
prostitute whom he had allegedly picked up for sex.
The policeman who is attached to the police stock theft unit was last
week released on R2 500 bail but placed under house-arrest, instructed to
surrender his passport and firearms when he appeared in front of magistrate
Ashin Singh.
He was not asked to plead and the case was remanded for further
investigation until 29 November.
The case stems from an alleged incident June this year when the
prostitute, who cannot be named, alleged she had been hired by the policeman
for ‘acts of prostitution’ and that an argument over money had ensued.
State prosecutor Miriam Aboobaker claims that after the argument over
the money the policeman allegedly raped the prostitute and then attempted to
stab her in the neck. The woman suffered cuts to her hand when she apparently
tried to shield herself from the knife attack.
The state has an affidavit from a witness who lives near the scene of
the alleged attack. The victim apparently went to a nearby home seeking help
after the incident.
“The witness took her in, gave her pain killers and called the police.
We have an affidavit from that witness who said he heard a woman scream and cry
before the woman knocked on the door,” said Aboobaker.
The medical report produced in court stated that injuries were found on
the woman ‘in relation to forcible penetration as well as bruises on hands,
feet, back and genital area’.
According to a statement read by advocate Brad Osborne, appearing for
the policeman, the woman had grabbed her keys and cellphone and ‘fell’ out of
the car, subsequently cutting her hand and injuring herself.
The policeman’s mental state was called into question in court after it
was divulged that he had attempted suicide whilst in custody.
According to advocate Osborne, the policeman had been approached in his
cell by the investigating officer (IO) who had notified him that further
charges might be added.
“My client was approached by the IO without his lawyer present and told
of these further charges which my client still hasn’t been charged with. “
Although suffering severe depression and post traumatic stress, he was
left alone afterwards and took more than the prescribed dose of his
anti-depressants, said Osborne.
Magistrate Ashin Singh in setting bail and placing the policeman under
house arrest, stipulated that the accused would only be allowed to leave the
house for medical treatment and for court appearances.
