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Guilty: Court finds girl guilty

Report and picture by Lew Elias

EAST LONDON -- Media and public interest ran high at the magistrate's court here yesterday when a 16-year-old girl was brought up on charges of malicious damage to property and contraventions of the Animal Protection Act relating to the killing of nine penguins and two pelicans at the aquarium here at the end of May.

Despite the high level of interest in the case, magistrate Henk van Houwelingen ruled that proceedings be heard in camera.

On entering court he asked if the people were spectators and said: "I only want the juvenile's father or guardian, legal representative and the investigating officer in court. Everybody else must leave."

Van Houwelingen said he decided that the case should be heard in camera as it involved a minor although judicial discretion could have been used.

The 16-year-old, dressed in a black leather jacket, an orange T-shirt and cream jeans, pleaded guilty to malicious damage to property and contraventions of the Animal Protection Act.

She was found guilty and the case was postponed to September 11 for a probation officer's report and sentencing.

Investigating officer Inspector Quinton Cowie said he was pleased that there had been progress in the six-week-old case and expected more arrests.

The minor was released into the care of her parents.

The charge of malicious damage to property carries a maximum sentence of R60000 or three years' imprisonment while the charges under the Animal Protection Act carry a maximum sentence of a fine of up to R20000 and/or a year in jail.

Brendan Sam prosecuted. The girl was not represented.

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