UPDATE: #DrosRape accused referred to Weskoppies
Nicolas Ninow is said to have a history of substance abuse and has bipolar disorder.
A 20-year-old man accused of raping a seven-year-old girl at a Dros restaurant in Silverton in Pretoria is to undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
This was ordered by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Thursday at Nicolas Ninow’s third appearance.
Ninow is charged with rape, intimidation and possession of drugs.
His lawyer, Riaan Du Plessis, said a report by a psychiatrist showed his client was suicidal and had tried to hurt himself.
This was after prosecutor Jacobson asked the court to order that Ninow be referred to Weskoppies psychiatric hospital for evaluation. The request was granted.
Du Plessis supported the ruling.
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He said Ninow was diagnosed as being bipolar in January 2013 and had a substance abuse problem.
“He had a history of substance abuse since he was 14,” said his lawyer.
There was also a history of mental health problems in the family.
Nicolas Ninow is accused of “snatching” the girl, taking her to the men’s toilet and forcing himself on her in September.
Magistrate Thandi Theledi said it was in the interest of justice for Ninow to be evaluated.
This would help allow for a fair trial as all avenues were being explored, he said.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: #DrosRape accused to appear in court
Ninow still did not apply for bail and will be back in court on 28 November.
Ninow was covering his face with a hoodie in the dock as members of the media took pictures of him. He kept his face down as someone in the public in the gallery yelled: “Bipolar se voet.”
Ninow has still not been asked to plead to the charges.
*Though the law prohibits identifying someone accused of a sexual offence before this individual has pleaded to the charge, Caxton made an editorial decision to name Ninow following the circumstances around his previous appearance on 2 October.
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