Liebenberg released on warning

SOUTH African tabloid magazine photographer John Liebenberg, arrested for trespassing while trying to snap a shot of pregnant superstar Angelina Jolie, was released on warning yesterday.

Liebenberg was taken into custody on Friday afternoon after driving into Police barracks in search of a vantage point to take a photograph of a nearby private hospital in Walvis Bay. According to a Police spokesperson, it was the second time he had been spotted trespassing.The 48-year-old photographer was reportedly reacting to a tip-off that Jolie had been rushed there to have her baby.The pressure is on for the paparazzi: prying lensmen are hoping to earn the multimillion-dollar pay cheque the first pictures of the baby are expected to earn.The Daily Mirror in London reported the couple has signed a deal with a US weekly magazine for the baby’s first pictures.”They’ve signed a £2,6 million (about N$35 million) deal with a publication, and the money will go to children’s charity Unicef,” the tabloid quoted a source close to the couple as saying.”Angelina’s very private but they figured they might as well use the opportunity of one child being born to help a lot of others.”Yesterday, Liebenberg pleaded guilty when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court, and was released on a warning – he was seriously cautioned by Magistrate Sarel Jacobs – after being detained for three days in a Police cell.The prosecution had asked for a fine of N$1 000 or a year in prison.Liebenberg’s lawyer had suggested a fine.Magistrate Jacobs said he could not understand why Liebenberg was not allowed bail or the option of an admission of guilt.Pitt (42) and Jolie (30) – dubbed ‘Brangelina’ by the tabloid press – have sparked a media frenzy since arriving in Namibia over six weeks ago to have their first child.Residents say they are confounded by the relentless media interest in their famous guests, who arrived six weeks ago with adopted children Maddox and Zahara.”I think it is such a big fuss, I couldn’t give a damn to be quite honest.I feel sorry for them, they should just be left alone,” said Ingrid Wheal, who owns a local curio shop.- Nampa-Reuters and Own ReporterAccording to a Police spokesperson, it was the second time he had been spotted trespassing.The 48-year-old photographer was reportedly reacting to a tip-off that Jolie had been rushed there to have her baby.The pressure is on for the paparazzi: prying lensmen are hoping to earn the multimillion-dollar pay cheque the first pictures of the baby are expected to earn.The Daily Mirror in London reported the couple has signed a deal with a US weekly magazine for the baby’s first pictures.”They’ve signed a £2,6 million (about N$35 million) deal with a publication, and the money will go to children’s charity Unicef,” the tabloid quoted a source close to the couple as saying.”Angelina’s very private but they figured they might as well use the opportunity of one child being born to help a lot of others.”Yesterday, Liebenberg pleaded guilty when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court, and was released on a warning – he was seriously cautioned by Magistrate Sarel Jacobs – after being detained for three days in a Police cell.The prosecution had asked for a fine of N$1 000 or a year in prison.Liebenberg’s lawyer had suggested a fine.Magistrate Jacobs said he could not understand why Liebenberg was not allowed bail or the option of an admission of guilt.Pitt (42) and Jolie (30) – dubbed ‘Brangelina’ by the tabloid press – have sparked a media frenzy since arriving in Namibia over six weeks ago to have their first child.Residents say they are confounded by the relentless media interest in their famous guests, who arrived six weeks ago with adopted children Maddox and Zahara.”I think it is such a big fuss, I couldn’t give a damn to be quite honest.I feel sorry for them, they should just be left alone,” said Ingrid Wheal, who owns a local curio shop.- Nampa-Reuters and Own Reporter