Cape Town - Rumours are circulating that Birmingham sadomasochism escort Leopold Leisser, who goes by the name The German Master and who admitted to sessions with honeymoon murder accused Shrien Dewani, may no longer be called to testify in the trial.
This comes after Deputy Judge President Jeanette Traverso cut short the evidence of Scotland Yard detective Mark Roberts this week.
He flew from the UK earlier this month to testify in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday about what he found on Dewani’s laptop.
The computer contained evidence of disclosures he had made to an unidentified male about his inner conflict about marrying his wife Anni, and whether or not he should make his sexual orientation known.
But Judge Traverso decided that Dewani’s sexuality was not relevant, saying he had admitted to being bisexual, and did not dispute that he had had sexual interaction with men.
He had also conceded, via defence advocate Francois van Zyl SC, that he was conflicted about the marriage.
Leisser’s evidence, it is believed, is of a similar nature to that of Roberts.
Leisser told police that he met Dewani on gay hook-up site Gaydar.net, where he advertised his services, and that Dewani admitted to visiting gay fetish clubs in the UK.
He had three sessions with Dewani from September 2009 to April 2010, he said. During the last one Dewani told him he felt forced into the marriage and feared being disowned by his family if he broke off the engagement.
In light of the court’s inadmissibility ruling this week, the prosecution risks a similar scenario if Leisser testifies, prompting rumours that he would not be called.
Efforts to contact Leisser this week proved unsuccessful, but sources close to the case were adamant that the escort would still be called.
Leisser, 39, has 15 years experience in the sadomasochism industry, and previously served in the army, according to his website.
Under a section headed “Master’s stats” he is described as 186cm tall, weighing 105kg and hairy with a full beard.
“It doesn’t matter if you are totally inexperienced or very experienced, Master has techniques and demands to satisfy respectful candidates at all levels. Master offers domination, bondage, control, discipline, spanking, flogging, corporal punishment, role play and lots more,” the website says.
It also contains a gallery of photographs of equipment he uses, and a section headed “guest book” containing testimonials from clients.
Leisser was expected to give evidence towards the end of the month.
Meanwhile, sources suggest that Anni’s cousin Sneha Hindocha, who arrived in Cape Town a week ago, will testify on Monday.
Sneha was Anni’s confidante and is expected to testify about text messages her cousin sent her about the turbulent relationship she had with Dewani.
She is expected to tell the court that Anni felt ambushed into marrying Dewani.
Weekend Argus