Durban - In granting Hillcrest man Glen Brian Galley, who was convicted for a murder in the UK, R6 000 bail, a Pinetown magistrate felt the State did not prove he was a flight risk, or a threat to witnesses.
“If I’m released on bail, I will prove to people that I will come to court. I’m painted as a monster on Facebook. I’m not,” said Galley on Friday in the witness dock.
He is accused of stealing a horse riding saddle worth over R65 000, and a surf knee-board, and was arrested earlier this month.
On Friday, he told magistrate Trevor Buthelezi he intended to plead not guilty to stealing the saddle, but guilty to stealing the knee-board from his former schoolmate, surfer Garth Price.
Galley was again adamant that he was not out on parole, but released on good behaviour from prison in the UK.
He said he had served 13 years and 4 months in jail, and that the extra four months was because he was waiting to be deported. He was deported in April 2014.
He also had to surrender his British passport and cannot return to the country.
Galley was convicted in May 2002 for murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Galley had unsuccessfully tried to appeal his conviction, maintaining his innocence.
At an appeal application against his sentence, Justice Beatson eventually sentenced Galley to 13 years imprisonment.
According to his judgment, on February 22, 2001, a 69-year-old woman was found dead in her flat in Surbiton.
She had suffered multiple injuries, including a deep wound to the neck and a substantial number of fractured ribs, bruising to her stomach and a tear to her liver consistent with kicking or stamping.
The woman had lived alone and had habitually worn gold jewellery and kept a jewel box on her dressing table. She also carried substantial sums of money. Galley had worked as a driver for a minicab company and had collected the frail woman on two occasions for trips to the shops.
He was fired when the woman complained about him failing to pay her back £20 she had lent him.
Testifying in opposition to bail, Detective-Sergeant Sikhona Mchunu said Galley was a flight risk as he had no fixed address. While he was living with his fiancée, their landlord, a magistrate, had given them notice to vacate.
He said Galley had not provided an alternative address. “I don’t know if he’s here illegally or wanted in Wales. I’ve contacted Interpol, who are checking if he is wanted elsewhere,” Mchunu testified.
The investigating officer also said he was concerned about Galley threatening witnesses should he be released.
The magistrate granted Galley R5 000 bail on the saddle theft charge and R1 000 on the knee-board charge.
The matter was adjourned until October 18.
@noeleneb