Young detective secures 15-year conviction
Just a year in the detective unit and Constable Charlene Newton is already securing convictions, including a 15-year sentence for a house robbery case.
WITHIN a year of working in the detective unit, Malvern SAPS Constable Charlene Newton is making her mark as she has secured a few convictions, with the latest being a 15-year sentence.
Newton, who is pursuing her BA in Forensic Science and Technology, trained to be part of the SAPS in 2024.
“I finished the six months training in December. After the training I did my six months probation working at the charge office. In July I joined the detective unit.”
Securing the 15-year conviction has been a proud moment for the 23-year-old constable and has motivated her to work even more harder.
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Recalling the day of the incident, Newton said they were handed a docket of a house robbery case which had just taken place in the Northdene area on September 22 last year.
“When we responded, we found that a 61-year-old woman was assaulted and robbed at her home.”
While on scene, two members of the Crime Prevention Unit, Sergeant Moodley and Constable Ndlangamandla, were patrolling when they saw a suspicious man not far from the scene.
“The man was carrying stolen items and was arrested; when we got to the station with the victim, she immediately pointed out her stolen items. She also positively identified the suspect.
“He was then charged with house robbery case, he was remanded at Westville Prison after bail was opposed, he appeared a few times at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court before he was found guilty; the culprit was also a repeat offender. Our further investigation revealed that the same accused was charged for attempted murder in Chatsworth.”
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Newton said although it is difficult to assist everyone in one go, but securing a conviction drives her to do more for the victims.
“Seeing the accused behind bars and securing justice for the victims fulfils me and makes the extra hours worth it,” she said with a smile and a sigh.
The challenge she experiences daily is that there are not enough hours in a day.
“There are a lots of cases we deal with and we do not have the manpower but we do our best with limited resources.”
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