'Mr Big' spent nearly R900 000 at GrandWest
17 October 2007, 07:32
Since September 2005, alleged crime syndicate leader Quinton "Mr Big" Marinus has spent more than R880 000 gambling at a city casino despite a restraint order against him obtained by the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).
In terms of that order, Marinus and his wife are supposed to disclose to a court-appointed curator their monthly income and expenditure.
But, instead of complying with the order, Marinus has gained platinum card status at GrandWest Casino.
Marinus has not denied that he gambled, but he disputes the amount mentioned.
This emerged in the Cape High Court on Tuesday during an application by Marinus for the release of some of his assets, currently under state restraint, so that he can pay for lawyers to represent him during his upcoming criminal trial.
Marinus faces 47 charges, including charges of murder, abalone poaching and money laundering, along with his wife and several family members.
But on Tuesday, Marinus asked the court to postpone the application for the release of funds.
However, Acting Justice Brendon Manca dismissed the application, after hearing an argument from the NDPP's advocate, Ashley Binns-Ward, SC, that Marinus's aim was to delay the criminal trial.
Binns-Ward submitted that Marinus was supposed to appear in court on October 22 for the issue of his legal representation to be addressed.
His trial starts in January, next year.
Since his application for legal aid was refused, the judge in the criminal case would have to decide whether to order that he be provided with legal representation to ensure that he has a fair trial.
Postponing Tuesday's application would therefore have caused the criminal trial to be delayed even further.
Manca said Marinus knew that he did not have legal representation and that his application for funds was approaching.
Despite this, he waited until Monday to lodge an application for a postponement, Manca said.
Marinus then has to argue the main application for the release of funds on his own.
He told the court that he wanted an attorney and an advocate of his own and that he was 100 percent sure that he would be acquitted.
But Manca told him that those issues were not before him and that he could only make a ruling on the application for the release of funds.
Binns-Ward submitted that the NDPP's case was that funds could not be released until full disclosure has been made and this has not been done.
The judge is to give a decision on Friday.
fatima.schroeder@inl.co.za
In terms of that order, Marinus and his wife are supposed to disclose to a court-appointed curator their monthly income and expenditure.
But, instead of complying with the order, Marinus has gained platinum card status at GrandWest Casino.
Marinus has not denied that he gambled, but he disputes the amount mentioned.
This emerged in the Cape High Court on Tuesday during an application by Marinus for the release of some of his assets, currently under state restraint, so that he can pay for lawyers to represent him during his upcoming criminal trial.
Marinus faces 47 charges, including charges of murder, abalone poaching and money laundering, along with his wife and several family members.
But on Tuesday, Marinus asked the court to postpone the application for the release of funds.
However, Acting Justice Brendon Manca dismissed the application, after hearing an argument from the NDPP's advocate, Ashley Binns-Ward, SC, that Marinus's aim was to delay the criminal trial.
Binns-Ward submitted that Marinus was supposed to appear in court on October 22 for the issue of his legal representation to be addressed.
His trial starts in January, next year.
Since his application for legal aid was refused, the judge in the criminal case would have to decide whether to order that he be provided with legal representation to ensure that he has a fair trial.
Postponing Tuesday's application would therefore have caused the criminal trial to be delayed even further.
Manca said Marinus knew that he did not have legal representation and that his application for funds was approaching.
Despite this, he waited until Monday to lodge an application for a postponement, Manca said.
Marinus then has to argue the main application for the release of funds on his own.
He told the court that he wanted an attorney and an advocate of his own and that he was 100 percent sure that he would be acquitted.
But Manca told him that those issues were not before him and that he could only make a ruling on the application for the release of funds.
Binns-Ward submitted that the NDPP's case was that funds could not be released until full disclosure has been made and this has not been done.
The judge is to give a decision on Friday.
fatima.schroeder@inl.co.za
- This article was originally published on page 4 of The Cape Times on October 17, 2007
Pretoria
