Malmesbury teen’s bail bid postponed to Thursday

The bail application of a 16-year-old Malmesbury teenager in the Western Cape accused of alleged links to an online child exploitation network has been postponed by the local magistrate’s court to next Thursday for the State’s case.

At his last appearance, the defence read into the record his affidavit as well as an expert report from a social worker; he was found fit to stand trial.

He was arrested in August and charged with sexual assault and the creation of child pornography.

His arrest followed cooperation between South African and United States law enforcement agencies.

He faces charges including alleged compelled sexual assault, the creation of child pornography, cruelty to animals and sending a threatening data message.

The matter was held in camera.

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