'Springs Monster' slits wrists in court cell: Report

The man dubbed "The Springs Monster" slit his wrists in a holding cell at the Springs Magistrate's Court on Thursday (05/06/2014), Eyewitness News reported.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of his family, was rushed to hospital with his wrists bandaged.

Earlier the public gallery in the Springs Magistrate's Court erupted in spontaneous applause when he was denied bail.

The 36-year-old man was arrested after allegedly assaulting his wife and five children and keeping them captive.

The case was postponed to June 12 for the man  to obtain Legal Aid.

He faces charges of child abuse, rape, assault, and defeating the ends of justice.

Magistrate Roy le Roux found that the man did not even come close to convincing the court that it was in the interests of justice to release him on bail.

The court found that he made a false statement that his son was missing, and he could be charged with perjury.

"The State has a strong case as far as attempted murder is concerned," Le Roux said in his judgment.

He was referring to a medical report of one of the man's children, an 11-year-old boy who had suffered numerous bruises and scars to his body. The boy also had a scar on his head from allegedly being hit with a knobkerrie.

Threats by the community against the man, should he be granted bail, were also taken into consideration.

The man was arrested last month after the 11-year-old boy apparently fled the house in Springs and went to a neighbour's house next door.

The neighbour called police and the five children, aged between two and 16, were found.

It was alleged that the man had abused his children and wife. - Sapa