Sunrise man secures R1 000 bail
THE Sunrise-on-Sea resident who rattled his neighbourhood with a disturbed tirade and allegedly injured two men when he threw an acidic substance in their faces, was granted bail of R1 000 by the East London Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The case was postponed to May 3. Gavin Weyer, 48, was released into the custody of his fiancé, Annette Gale.
Weyer was charged with two counts of assault with the intention to do grievous bodily harm and one of malicious damage to property in February after he became increasingly disruptive.
Concerned neighbours called the Daily Dispatch saying they were afraid of him after he allegedly threw rocks at cars and lobbed paint and bottles on the street around his double-storey seaside home which was covered with with bizarre painted messages.
Some residents in the quiet suburb claimed Weyer had been pushed over the edge by some community members who allegedly badgered him.
Weyer’s tranquil appearance in court yesterday cut a sharp contrast to his earlier appearances six weeks ago when he railed against his attorney and interrupted proceedings. Attorney Neil Ristow withdrew after Weyer repeatedly refused to co-operate with him and declined the opportunity to apply for bail.
Dressed in a crisp blue-and-white shirt and beige chinos and sporting a neat haircut, Weyer was calm and composed yesterday as he sat in the dock.
His new defence attorney, Andre Schoombee, informed magistrate Rochelle Sam that following a “miscommunication” between his client and his previous attorney, he had been instructed by members of the community to represent him.
Prosecutor Quedoe Botha did not oppose bail of R1 000, which he said could be granted on the condition of an accompanying affidavit which specified that Gale would ensure he returned to court.
Gale declined to comment when approached by the Dispatch.
Schoombee said a psychology report would be drawn up by the state and, once a bed became available, he would be assessed at Fort England psychiatric hospital in Grahamstown to determine whether he was able to understand court proceedings.