Wife of "Springs Monster" barred from seeing children

The wife of the “Springs Monster” is not allowed to see her children the Springs Magistrate’s Court ruled today.

Magistrate Bennita Oswell granted the woman, who cannot be named to protect the identities of her five children, bail of R2000 with strict orders that she is not allowed to have direct or indirect contact with them.

The two older children in the family, aged 11 and 16, are likely to testify against their parents who are charged with assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, attempted murder, child abuse and defeating the ends of justice.

The husband faces an additional charge of rape.

The mother will be kept away from her three younger children until the Children’s Court proceedings currently underway to determine whether they should be removed from the family are resolved. Thereafter she may apply to the Springs Magistrate’s Court for supervised visits with the younger children.

She is also not allowed to have contact with any of the state’s other witnesses.

Community members that gathered in the courthouse to hear the magistrate’s decision said they are unhappy with the outcome of the judgment.

“ upset. The conditions are not enough. They are going to influence her,” said community member Susan Hopkins.

Isabella van Eck, the woman’s attorney, expressed relief at the magistrate’s decision and said her client has been through “such a scare” with her arrest that she will not be tempted to break the conditions set by the magistrate.

The bail conditions also stipulate that the woman resides with her aunt until the trial is finalised. The couple’s next appearance is on July 25.