Almost 1 500 nude photos of San children have allegedly been discovered on a camera confiscated from a British tourist.
Douglas Brooks (65) was arrested after allegedly taking pornographic images of San children at the Grashoek Living Museum at Tsumkwe West.
Police detective warrant officer Richard Muronga revealed this during Brooks’ bail application hearing at the Grootfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday afternoon.
Brooks’ lawyer, Thomas Andima, brought forward a bail application on 17 June, which continued the following day, when it was postponed to 27 June.
State prosecutor Kristiana Erastus objected to the granting of bail, citing fears that Brooks may interfere with witnesses and investigations, and on the basis that he is a foreign national with no permanent home or relatives in Namibia.
Muronga on Friday also opposed the granting of bail, saying Brooks may abscond due to the serious charges he faces, after investigations revealed child pornography involving 33 San minors.
“More than 2 000 photos were found in total on his digital camera, with nearly 1 500 photos of boys and girls completely nude, which is not allowed in any country. Brooks committed a punishable crime, which he knows,” said Muronga.
Andima, however, said Brooks would not flee and was prepared to face all charges against him.
He emphasised that Brooks’ photo has been widely circulated in both print and electronic media, and there was no place he could hide.
Magistrate Boniface Konga on Friday postponed the matter to 11 July for the submission of arguments by the state, when he would rule on the bail application.
Brooks faces 38 charges, including rape, child labour, exploitation, indecent assault, crimen injuria and trafficking in persons. He remains in police custody.
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