WINDHOEK – The State strongly objected to granting bail to Derrick Joel (33), who made a first appearance on a charge of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft.
On Monday Joel informed the court he intends to apply for legal aid, but prosecutor Alexander Gairiseb informed magistrate Jo-Rina Jaggere that the State objects to bail, because of the seriousness of the offence as well as for fear that Joel might interfere with a police investigation still at a sensitive stage. Joel informed the court that the investigating officer in the matter called him and he voluntarily went to the police station where he was arrested. He said that he does not know anything about the case or who the complainant is. Gairiseb on the other hand told the court that the investigating officer told him that the complainant identified Joel as the culprit.
It is alleged that Joel broke into the house of Katrina Strauss in Flora Street, Dorado Valley on October 07 last year and stole one laptop valued at N$5 000, one Galaxy pocket phone worth N$2 000, one bed set worth N$1 300 and a camera valued at N$999. The combined value of the stolen items is N$9 299. The case was postponed to March 31 for Joel to apply for legal aid and he remains in custody. His rights to a formal bail hearing were explained to him.
By Roland Routh