Sunrise man rejects lawyer, opts for jail cell

THE troubled Sunrise-on-Sea man who disrupted his neighbours last week rejected the services of a top attorney in the East London Magistrate’s Court yesterday and chose to stay in prison rather than apply for bail.

Gavin Weyer, 48, has been charged with two counts of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and one of malicious damage to property.

The charges stem from last Thursday when Weyer allegedly went on a rampage at his double-storey house, which he allegedly set fire to three months ago.

Neighbours were rattled when he allegedly threw an acidic liquid at two men, hurled rocks at cars and tossed bottles and paint in the street from his partially gutted home, which is covered in bizarre messages.

He was arrested on Saturday and spent a night at Cecilia Makiwane hospital’s psychiatric ward, where it was reportedly found he had “evidence of psychopathology”.

In the courtroom ahead of his bail hearing yesterday, a barefoot Weyer told prosecutor Lerato Phakisi he wanted to represent himself.

“Tell him [attorney Neil Ristow] he can take a day’s leave.”

But Weyer was unable to follow court procedures, made inappropriate interjections. and informed magistrate Nazeem Joemath he did not want another postponement.

Joemath adjourned the court to allow Weyer the opportunity to be advised by Ristow, but after a few moments they emerged from the side chamber with Weyer again announcing he wanted to represent himself.

“It’s a sin what they are doing to me. I’ve never been treated like this in my life,” he railed.

An increasingly agitated spoke to court officials in Weyer Xhosa, saying he no longer trusted anyone.

Once the court process resumed, Ristow informed Joemath that he wished to withdraw because his client wanted to represent himself, refused to give or accept instruction and was “obstructive”.

“I’ve been put in a difficult position and have attempted to consult and give instruction and explain what we will present to court.

“I simply can’t continue because he is not affording me the opportunity to give advice, so quite frankly I can’t assist him any further,” said Ristow.

Weyer interjected, asking the magistrate if he had seen a report about him in the Saturday Dispatch and asking that the reporter be called to the stand.

Joemath repeatedly insisted Weyer listen to his instructions and gave him another opportunity to confer with Ristow, but when this failed as well, the magistrate said he could apply for legal aid, a suggestion that was also refused.

“I have opened no cases. I don’t know where these cases are coming from,” said Weyer.

The tortuous proceedings ended with the accused opting to forgo the bail application.

“It’s better that I stay in jail because if I leave I will be harmed.”

Joemath instructed Weyer be kept in the psychiatric wing of West Bank prison until his next appearance on April 6.