M4 Crash: Omesh Ramnarain back in court
The Durban plumber who was jailed for ten years last month for causing the deaths of two cyclists in a car crash wants out of prison while he appeals his conviction and sentence.
Two years ago, Omesh Ramnarain lost control of his vehicle and ploughed into Richard da Silva and Jared Dwyer on the M4 in Durban North.
The two cyclists had been on a training ride at the time of the crash.
Ramnarain's legal team approached the Durban High Court today, in the hopes a judge would rule differently.
Ramnarain's advocate, Murray Pitman described his client being denied bail pending the outcome of his appeal as 'punishment.'
Pitman argued that when Maharaj granted Ramnarain leave to appeal his conviction and sentence, the magistrate realised that he might have been wrong. He continued to argue that it is not in the interest of justice that his client be locked up until the appeal is finalised.
For the State, advocate Kalvin Singh said the granting of bail pending the outcome of appeal is becoming less commonplace.
He said Ramnarain's version that a rock hit his windscreen is unlikely and the sentence not shockingly inappropriate.
The two cyclists had been on a training ride at the time of the crash.
Magistrate Anand Maharaj granted Ramnarain leave to appeal following his sentencing last month, but dismissed his application to have his bail extended pending the appeal.
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Ramnarain's legal team approached the Durban High Court today, in the hopes a judge would rule differently.
Ramnarain's advocate, Murray Pitman described his client being denied bail pending the outcome of his appeal as 'punishment.'
Pitman argued that when Maharaj granted Ramnarain leave to appeal his conviction and sentence, the magistrate realised that he might have been wrong. He continued to argue that it is not in the interest of justice that his client be locked up until the appeal is finalised.
For the State, advocate Kalvin Singh said the granting of bail pending the outcome of appeal is becoming less commonplace.
He said Ramnarain's version that a rock hit his windscreen is unlikely and the sentence not shockingly inappropriate.
Judgement has been reserved until next week.