Court grants McBride full access to younger daughter
INDEPENDENT Police Investigative Directorate head Robert McBride was yesterday granted full access to one of his daughters by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
He was appearing for allegedly assaulting one of his daughters. The case was postponed to December 18 to allow him to make copies of the docket and prepare for the trial.
McBride was granted limitless access to the child after bail conditions were amended by the magistrate. He had previously been told to have no contact with witnesses.
He had been forbidden by the court to make any contact with witnesses, even through a third party.
In a statement addressing the allegations, McBride said he had merely “admonished” the teenager, who he had denied assaulting on August 19.
He stands accused of physically assaulting the 15-year-old, who also accused him of beating and throttling her.
In giving reasons for the amendments, the magistrate said: “The court was not convinced that the limitations to his other daughter would impair the case, since the (younger) daughter of McBride had not made a statement.”
The magistrate said the amendment was granted because the girl would no longer be a witness. “It must be specified that this access of yours has no limitation clause to it regarding any discussions. If the prosecution seriously wanted to utilise the witness, they would have obtained a statement by now,” the magistrate added.
It was expected that the next appearance would be for the finalisation of the investigation and to arrange a trial date.
McBride, out on bail of R10 000, is charged with child abuse, with an alternative charge of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.