‘What was Panayiotou trying to hide?’

Jayde Panayiotou's mother and sister, third and fourth from right, in the Port Elizabeth Magistate's Court last week. File photo

Jayde Panayiotou's mother and sister, third and fourth from right, in the Port Elizabeth Magistate's Court last week. File photo

Published May 27, 2015

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Port Elizabeth - Christopher Panayiotou was calculated in his attempt to destroy evidence, State prosecutor Marius Stander has said.

Stander is currently delivering his closing arguments in Panayiotou’s bail application in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

He said the fact that Panayiotou had his and his lover’s phone wiped was a calculated attempt to destroy evidence.

It was revealed on Tuesday that Panayiotou's phone and that of his mistress Chanelle Coutts had been reset to factory settings.

“What was he trying to hide? He knew that the link of the police investigation was Coutts and he destroyed it,” said Stander.

In his affidavit submitted to court, Panayiotou said that he only wiped the phones to prevent his parents from finding out about his sexual relationship with Coutts.

Stander was scathing in his response. “He (Panayiotou) is not a 14-year-old boy where his parents will look at his phone. He's an adult. Who's going to look at his phone?”

Panayiotou, 28, stands accused of masterminding the abduction and murder of his school teacher wife Jayde.

It is alleged that Panayiotou paid his employee Thando Siyoli R70 000 for the hit on his wife.

It is claimed Siyoli in turn secured the services of Sizwezakhe Vumazonke to carry out the job. Both men have also been arrested.

Panayiotou's attorney Terry Price will deliver his closing arguments after Stander.

Jayde Panayiotou's mother and sister were in court on Wednesday - the first time they have attended proceedings.

 

Proceedings are expected to finish on Wednesday but it is unlikely that Magistrate Abigail Beaton will deliver her ruling just yet.

For the latest updates follow our reporter, Viasen Soobramoney on Twitter @ViasenS.

IOL

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