Panayiotou defence dealt first blow in bail appeal

Panayiotou defence dealt first blow in bail appeal

The defence counsel for murder accused Christopher Panayiotou was dealt its first blow this morning when Judge Glenn Goosen denied its application to have further evidence admitted ahead of its bail appeal.

Advocate Mike Hellens, SC, wanted photographs of bouncer and alleged middleman Luthando Siyoli admitted to the court to show he may have been assaulted by police prior to giving a confession.

Hellens also asked to see the contents of affidavits made by Panayiotou’s mistress Chanelle Coutts and her best friend Clarissa Kapp.

Goosen will give reasons for his refusal at a later stage.

Panayiotou, 28, beefed up his legal team by hiring Hellens, after his first bid at bail failed dismally in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court last month.

Panayiotou is accused of orchestrating the murder of his school teacher wife, Jayde, 29, in April. It is alleged he paid a bouncer at his Infinity night club, Siyoli, 31, to hire hitman Sizwezakhe Vumazonke, 30, to kidnap and murder Jayde.

All three men are in custody and Siyoli has since turned state witness.

- Kathryn Kimberley