SANDTON – A trial date has been booked for Mr Derek Poole. He is to face trial on fraud charges in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on January 26-27.
Poole reappeared in court this week. He was also due in Lowveld. The court had earlier indicated that his case will be heard in White River, where he appeared on additional fraud charges two weeks ago. However, he appeared in Hazyview instead. At the time of going to press it was not clear until when his case had been postponed.
He faces a charge of fraud after Ms Carol van der Westhuizen of GAP Tours had complained to police that Poole had allegedly faked an electronic fund transfer to her in exchange for a tour she provided to his tour group.
She claims he defrauded her of about R25 000. He was initially granted bail in the Hazyview Circuit Court but when he failed to appear for his last scheduled appearance there in August, a warrant of arrest was issued.
Poole also missed his scheduled appearances in Mbombela where he faces a fraud charge and one of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm. He also missed his court date in Sandton. He was later arrested in Durban in September on a reactivated warrant. This time he had been denied bail and he remains in custody in Gauteng.
His appearance had been postponed often to give him time to raise the funds to pay his legal representatives. The most recent indication is that, should he not have legal representation in January, his trial will continue nevertheless with Legal Aid representing him.
Two weeks ago he was transported down to White River since Hazyview only sits on Thursdays and the case was postponed. It is not yet clear when he will be back in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court.
