Durban - Durban Central police officer Larry Heslop has been denied bail because the magistrate felt the State had a strong case and the likelihood of imprisonment was enough for Heslop to evade trial.
The 44-year-old police captain, who was recently re-instated after his suspension, is currently facing three counts of attempted murder, with the most recent count allegedly committed while he was out on bail.
Heslop was arrested at his girlfriend’s home in Merebank.
Hawks’ investigating officer, Lieutenant Muntomuhle Mbhele had told the court he felt Heslop was evading police as he was not at the address given to police when he was earlier granted bail, and neither did his family know where he was.
Durban Regional Court Magistrate Sam Luthuli yesterday refused bail after taking all factors into consideration.
Heslop’s recent charge of attempted murder involved the shooting of Michael Bruce, 39, last month when he had driven to a petrol station in Austerville Drive, in the Wentworth area, to buy cigarettes.
It is alleged Bruce had driven towards an empty parking space, but Heslop arrived from another entrance and moved to take the same spot. An argument ensued and Bruce was shot.
The magistrate felt the State had a strong case and said if Heslop was convicted of attempted murder, he would “in all probability be sentenced to a term of imprisonment”.
Luthuli said Heslop had not satisfied the court that his release was in the interest of justice. He also said he had taken into account that the investigation was finalised in this matter and did not think it would take long for the case to be set down for trial.
“I’ve also considered the financial loss he’ll suffer if detained. I’m aware he has just been re-instated after his suspension for some time, and I’m quite alive to the fact that this may have an effect in the preparation of his defence,” the magistrate said.
During the bail application, which began last week, the court heard that Heslop had two other charges of attempted murder against him.
The first was a Wentworth matter where it is alleged Heslop opened fire on people standing next to their flat.
In the second case, it is alleged Heslop shot Vernon Majority at a Wentworth nightclub using a stolen firearm that was later found in his room.
All three charges have been joined and he was expected to appear again in court on October 13.
Daily News