Murder accused Andrew Jordaan on Monday admitted in the Pretoria High Court he smoked dagga and had a large porn collection, but denied he had a sexual interest in little girls, or that he had raped and murdered seven-year-old Sheldean Human.
Jordaan took the stand after the state closed its case against him on Monday.
Despite the court earlier rejecting his claims that he had been tortured into confessing to Sheldean’s murder, Jordaan reiterated his claims that he was totally innocent, and that he had been forced to make a confession and point out the scene where the child’s decomposed body was found.
He insinuated that the police must have known the whereabouts of the body, because he claimed he had never been to the deserted spot behind the Pretoria fresh produce market where the body was found in March last year, 15 days after Sheldean disappeared from her home.
An inspector from the police dog unit, however, told the court he and a colleague were the first persons to arrive at the scene, which was directly below a storm water drainpipe. He later also discovered the girl’s torn panties and pink T-shirt inside the pipe.
Jordaan denied he had raped either Sheldean or another seven-year-old girl, or that he had murdered Sheldean. He claimed he had left Sheldean at her house after playing in a park with her and the other little girl earlier that day.
He admitted he had often played with young girls and bought them sweets, but denied having a sexual interest in them.
Jordaan could not explain how the other seven-year-old girl knew about the pornography collection in his room, as he claimed the children had never been in his room.
After being asked to look at photographs of his porn collection, he admitted that the material belonged to him, but denied that one specific photo, in which a hairless version of private parts had been pasted over the model, was his.
Prosecutor Andre Fourie said he would argue that the photo implied Jordaan had a sexual interest in pre-pubescent girls.
Earlier, the judge dismissed an application for Jordaan’s discharge.
Counsel for Andrew Jordaan M Tlauane argued that there was not enough evidence on the three charges to convict his client, but prosecutor Andre Fourie said Jordaan’s own confession could be used as basis for a finding that he had at least indecently assaulted Sheldean, if not worse.
Acting Judge Chris Eksteen said he did not share the defence view that there was no evidence and dismissed the application. — Sapa