Behind the legacy of former British marine Brett Williams is an intrepid, gutsy woman.
|||Durban - Behind the legacy of former British marine Brett Williams is an intrepid, gutsy woman.
His fiancée, Louise Scott, will be going close to the ends of the Earth to raise funds for the court case against his alleged killers, the “Kings Park Five” who return to the dock on June 7.
South African-born Williams, in Durban for work involving maritime security against piracy in the Indian Ocean, was killed after being kicked and strangled outside the stadium after the Sharks’ match against the Melbourne Rebels on March 23.
After the murder trial gets going on Friday, the post-mortem report, made available to the prosecution since the five were granted bail in April, will be an important component of the State’s case.
The initial bail hearing heard the attack described as a savage “pack attack” on Williams, by investigating officer Warrant Officer Anand Pillay.
According to the Wirral News, published in the north-west England town where Williams and the former marine’s fiancée grew up, she will take on an endurance challenge across Norway in his memory.
“Determined Louise is now set to tackle the expedition across the Scandinavian country in a bid to raise funds to pay costs connected to the case, as well as setting up a trust fund for the couple’s daughter, Lailah (4),” read the report.
“Before that, she will take on a 17km commando challenge at the Royal Marines’ base in Lympstone, near the couple’s home in the south-west of England.”
Lympstone is home to the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, “the principal training centre for the Royal Marines”, according to the Royal Navy’s website.
When Durban magistrate Vanitha Armu granted R5 000 bail each to brothers Blane, 23, and Kyle, 25, Shephard, Andries van der Merwe, 23, Dustin van Wyk, 23, her decision brought sighs of relief to their loved ones who were among the people who packed the public gallery.
One remarked: “Thank you, Jesus.”
The brothers and Van Wyk are from Glenwood.
The fifth man, Grant Cramer, from Escombe, charged only with assault, had been granted R2 000 bail at an earlier hearing.
The “Kings Park Five” have spent their limited freedom getting on with their lives, according to Independent on Saturday readers who report having encountered them.
Last week, Van der Merwe, who is from the Bluff, was spotted playing for Harlequins second team against the Crusaders on his club’s home fields.
Williams’s murder has prompted changes in alcohol rules at Kings Park where rugby fans taking part in the trademark braais on the outer fields have not been allowed to bring their own alcohol.
Liquor-selling outlets were put up last week for people to buy alcohol near their picnic spots.
The Sharks apologised this week to members of their supporter clubs, saying that on Friday last week they were advised that they would not be allowed to sell liquor from the six new supply points.
“Alternative plans and proposals on match day failed minutes before the scheduled opening of the outlets,” read an e-mail circular.
“We were accordingly unable to explain to you, at the time, that our plans had been halted.”
Members were told that The Sharks were “actively involved in finding a speedy resolution to the matter and will inform you of progress made”.
Independent on Saturday