Fraud accused heroin addict to make bail application

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A self-confessed heroin addict accused of defrauding several elderly victims wants to apply for bail – despite having escaped custody recently by jumping out the window of a police van.

Sharlene Singh, 27, previously abandoned her bail application after her attorney withdrew from the case.

However, she told the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday that she wanted to renew her bid for freedom and has applied for legal aid.

The case was postponed to September 10.

Singh is charged with several counts of theft between November 2011 and May 2012 in Scottsville.

According to the charge sheet, Singh allegedly stole a computer speaker, a sound system, an antique folding table, jewellery (including a wedding ring and gold cufflinks), a sewing machine and glass candle holders.

The items, belonging to Dorothy Johnson, are worth about R60 000.

Other charges against Singh are still being investigated and may be added later.

She was arrested in the Pietermaritzburg CBD in July when she tried to sell three coins, which police believe may have been stolen.

Singh had allegedly struck at retirement homes in and around Pietermaritzburg, posing as a pollster conducting a survey among the aged, and robbing them of their possessions.

At Evergreen Retirement Village, a handbag was allegedly stolen from the bedroom of a 75-year-old resident.

Escaped

Police said Singh had escaped from custody in the past when brought in for questioning about other alleged thefts.

She also allegedly failed to comply with her bail conditions after being arrested for malicious damage to property and attempted murder in relation to her escape in January from police custody, during which she allegedly tried to run over officers in her car.

In her most recent bid to escape from custody, Singh jumped through a police van window.

She was rearrested.

Singh told the court she was a heroin addict and she needed to escape to “get a fix”.

Her family members said Singh was a very emotional person and she was suffering in prison.

“She needs to be in a comfortable environment where she can get the help she needs,” said a relative who wanted to remain anonymous.

Singh has previously attempted suicide and claimed she was assaulted while in police custody. - Daily News Reporter