GEORGE NEWS - A 37-year-old correctional services official accused of sexually assaulting a minor has been released on R1 000 bail.

This followed a bail hearing in the George Magistrate's Court on Wednesday 13 May.

The accused, who is stationed at the George Correctional Facility, was previously kept in custody in Ladismith while the court awaited the outcome of a fingerprint investigation in a pending case in Newcastle. 

However, it was later confirmed that the Newcastle matter did not involve him.

According to his attorney, Winston Jansen, the accused has no other pending criminal matters. "Everyone makes mistakes; it is only the nature of the mistake that differs," he said following the hearing.

With Jansen currently abroad, Matthew Moos represented him in the case. The accused is expected back in the George Magistrate's Court on 9 June.

Alleged sexual assault

The case against the official stems from allegations that he sexually assaulted his ex-girlfriend's 11-year-old daughter on the evening of 17 April. It was further alleged that there might have been a previous incident involving the child.

The complaint was reportedly laid after the relationship between the accused and the complainant's mother had ended. The incident was reported to the police by the girl's mother.

The official was arrested at his home in Thembalethu on 18 April by members of the George Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.

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