Bail undecided in Cowan GBV court case set to resume today at KwaDukuza

The verdict of Ryan Cowan’s bail application has been postponed again following a 2-day hearing last week, including the testimony of his mother.

The 40-year-old Ballito businessman is facing charges of attempted murder, kidnapping and contravention of a protection order.

Cowan has been in police custody since his arrest on Monday, May 10 for allegedly assaulting Mystrelle Cowan, the mother of his 3 children.

Protestors returned to the KwaDukuza Regional Court last Wednesday to appose bail.

The court heard that the accused was out on bail for a previous charge at the time of his arrest relating to breaching an interim protection order.

At the bail hearing, the defence called the accused’s mother, Maureen Cowan, as a character witness for her son.

Magistrate Blanche van Eeden said she would be subjected to cross-examination by the prosecution and any character evidence introduced would be open to scrutiny.

In considering the bail application, the defence also requested that video footage be allowed in evidence.

The state objected to this.

Maureen testified under oath that Cowan, a minority shareholder in her company, was a hard worker with a strong work ethic who supported his estranged wife and 3 children.

She alleged that the marriage broke down 2 years ago and their relationship was strained.

She also brought into question 33-year-old Mystrelle’s mental health and said she suffered from periodic “psychotic” episodes.

The court heard that at the end of last year Mystrelle had spent 3 weeks at a private specialist clinic, receiving treatment for her mental condition and an unspecified addiction.

The court heard that the couple had a history of substance abuse.

Mystrelle’s medical records were also provided to the defence.

However the magistrate did not allow Maureen to comment on them, saying as the mother of the accused her interpretation would be subjective.

The court was adjourned to allow the state an opportunity to determine the accuracy of the medical evidence.

The bail hearing was adjourned, and will continue on Wednesday, May 26.