The bouncer accused of killing an Edenvale man by pushing him down stairs at a bar was granted bail on Tuesday. He appeared in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court charged with culpable homicide in relation to an incident that happened at Stones pool bar.
Jay Singh was at the bar in the early hours of July 29 when he was allegedly assaulted by the 28-year-old bouncer, who cannot yet be named as he has not pleaded. Singh suffered head injuries from falling down the stairs and fell into a coma. He died from heart failure on August 2.
The accused claimed he was stopping an argument between Singh and another patron of the bar and pushed both of them away, when Singh fell down the stairs.
However, the State said it was in possession of CCTV footage that showed Singh walking away with his hands in the air and being pushed from behind down the stairs. The bouncer was granted bail of R5 000.
The state had opposed bail and submitted an affidavit from the investigating officer that stated that the Singh family were “not comfortable” with the accused being granted bail and the bouncer’s safety might be in jeopardy from the family, who he described as “aggressive”, arising from their loss.
The state also submitted that the bouncer was facing another unrelated case of assault.
He denied knowledge of the other charge against him.
Defence attorney Martin Kubayi said his client should be granted bail as he had handed himself over to the police when he was informed of Singh’s death. He said this showed full co-operation with the police and willingness to stand trial. Kubayi said the man intended to plead not guilty.
As part of his bail conditions, the accused, or his family, is not allowed to make any contact with state witnesses and must report to the Edenvale police station on Mondays and Fridays between 6am and 6pm. He is also not allowed to leave Gauteng.
The case was postponed to September 18. - The Star