Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-13 13:27:31
A 32-year-old German national named Netband Tim Marvin is currently in police custody in Kilifi County, Kenya, on allegations of defiling a 15-year-old Rwandese girl. Marvin, who is reported to be a businessman in Kilifi, was arrested on a Saturday and presented in court on Monday. Despite denying the charges, he will remain in police custody for one week while awaiting a decision on his bail application.
In the courtroom, it was revealed that the alleged defilement took place at Marvin’s home in the Mtondia area in Kilifi North Constituency. The minor had arrived in Kilifi from Nairobi four months earlier with her mother and was staying in the Seahorse area on the outskirts of Kilifi town. The incident was reported at Kilifi Police Station under occurrence book number OB/53/07/02/2024 by the minor’s mother, who was informed of the defilement by her daughter.
The charge sheet states that the suspect defiled the minor on January 27 and 29 at the Seahorse area and in his rented residence in Mtondia. The prosecutor, Nancy Njeru, argued that both the accused and the complainant posed a flight risk despite being in the country legally. She also mentioned the intention to amend the charge sheet with an additional charge of child pornography.
The defence lawyer, Patrick Ndaime, opposed the investigating officer’s affidavit requesting the court to deny his client bond or bail. He argued that there were no compelling reasons to deny Marvin bail and bond terms, especially since his passport had been confiscated during the arrest, and he was willing to surrender it in court.
The investigating officer, Jedidah Wanjau, stated that Marvin had been sending the minor nudes and pornographic videos using his phone, leading to suspicion of him being involved in child pornography. However, the defence lawyer emphasized that Marvin was willing to deposit reasonable but fair cash bail, as well as present himself at Kilifi Police Station as directed by the court.
The court ordered the Office of Probation and Aftercare Services to present a bond report within seven days on Marvin’s place of stay. The magistrate also highlighted that the gravity of the offense, the accused’s fixed abode, and the likelihood of interfering with prosecution witnesses would be considered in the bail and policy guidelines.
The defence lawyer presented an agreement in court, which stated that Marvin had leased his current residence for six months for Sh250,000. The case is set to be mentioned again on February 20.
In conclusion, the case of a German national accused of defiling a Rwandese minor in Kilifi County has sparked debate over whether he should be granted bail and bond terms. The court is set to take into account various factors, including the gravity of the offense, the accused’s fixed abode, and the potential risk of interfering with witnesses. The outcome of this case will be closely monitored as it unfolds in the Kenyan justice system.
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