SANDTON – A man facing numerous fraud charges in various courts have at last turned to Legal Aid. Mr Derek Poole reappeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court last week.
His case had been postponed several times since his arrest in Durban in September to allow him time to raise funds to pay his legal representatives. Unfortunately he was unable to do this, and last week it was recommended that he make use of Legal Aid. This offers legal representation at the state’s expense to qualifying accused who don’t have the financial means to pay for their own representation.
Poole was due in court in Gauteng today for a trial date to be set for the fraud charges against him. He is also due to appear on another fraud charge in White River on Thursday. He also faces a charge of fraud and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm in Mbombela. A new date is expected to be set for his appearance soon.
Poole had initially received bail in all three courts but when he failed to attend scheduled appearances in August, arrest warrants were issued. He was rearrested in KwaZulu-Natal on September 20 and would remain in police custody.
Read the full story in the print edition Friday.
