Murder suspect Dewani ‘needs year to recover’
Victoria Macdonald
Health and Social Care Editor
Shrien Dewani, the care home owner accused in South Africa of the murder of his bride, will need another year to recover, his defence tells a court.
In the onoing extradition process, Mr Dewani did not appear at Westminster magistrates’ court today. He is detained under section three of the mental health act and is currently being treated in a psychiatric unit in Somerset.
Clare Montgomery QC told the court that Mr Dewani was making a slow recovery but that each court hearing was like the “Sword of Damocles” hanging over him. Ms Montgomery argued that he needed a “recovery period” of a year.
Anni Hindocha was shot in November 2010 in Guguletu, Cape Town, in an apparent carjacking. She and Shrien Dewani were on the last days of their honeymoon.
Mr Dewani returned to the UK but the South African government requested his extradition to stand trial for her murder after it was claimed he had taken out a contract for her killing.
Hugo Keith QC, for the South African government, told the court that they wanted until September in order for another psychiatric expert to assess Mr Dewani’s condition. He is said to be suffering from a combination of post-traumatic stress and depression.
Until recently he has not been able to take anti-depressants because he suffers from an enzyme condition known as CK1, but he is now on medication.
Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle adjourned the hearing to 18 September.