Suspect in break-in at Mandarine Estate to re-appear in court on October 3   |27 September 2022

The suspect in the case of a house break-in which occurred at Mandarine Estate, Au Cap, on September 12, 2022, where an old lady was physical assaulted and injured, will appear again in court on October 3, 2022 at 9am.

Yesterday afternoon was the second time that the accused suspect, defended by lawyer Brian Julie, appeared before Justice Rony Govinden after his first appearance on September 8, 2022.

The Republic is being represented by State Counsel Gulmette Leste assisted by State Counsel Luthina Monthy.   

According to the affidavit, the suspect was the person who entered the house, with three occupants, in the early hours of the morning (around 2am) for an attempted robbery in which the 71-year-old occupant was physically assaulted and injured with the flat part of a machete. The other two persons in the house, among whom was a small child at primary level, were not hurt during the attempted robbery which left the house in a mess.

During the second day of the trial yesterday, police officers Ivan Monthy, who extracted video footage from a cam recorder at Coco De Mer Cosmetic, situated in the vicinity, and Lirena Gamatis, who was among officers called to the scene of the crime, were both cross examined by the prosecution and the defence.

As the prosecution is waiting for the arrival of the DNA test from Mauritius, the trial has been set by Justice Govinden for October 3, 2022, which will include the appearance of vulnerable witnesses.

Patrick Joubert