Shrien Dewani 'made punch threat'

2011-04-14 21:05:42

14 April 2011 Last updated at 19:30 Share this page Delicious Digg Facebook reddit StumbleUpon Twitter Email Print Shrien Dewani 'threatened to punch hospital worker' Shrien Dewani's wife died in November, two weeks after their wedding Continue reading the main story South Africa honeymoon murder Bride murder extradition halted Doubts raised over Dewani murder Dewani 'is fourth murder suspect' Extradition prisons 'best in SA'

A man accused of ordering his wife's murder on their honeymoon was ordered out of the hospital he was being treated at, a court has been told.

Shrien Dewani, 31, from Bristol, who is facing extradition proceedings to South Africa, was a patient at The Priory hospital in the city.

City of Westminster Magistrates' Court was told police were called following allegations Mr Dewani threatened to punch a member of hospital staff.

Mr Dewani denies any wrongdoing.

The South African authorities want him to face trial over allegations he ordered the killing of his wife Anni Dewani, 28, in Cape Town last November.

'Volatile' conduct

The court was told of allegations of his "disruptive behaviour" at The Priory over the weekend and how staff asked for him to be removed.

At the hearing on Thursday District Judge Howard Riddle renewed his bail.

Mr Dewani, who is said to be suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, was transferred to Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke, a low secure mental health hospital in North Somerset, on Monday.

He is now awaiting a mental health assessment and transferral to Bristol's Fromeside Clinic, a medium secure NHS hospital where he would be under supervision 24 hours a day.

Hugo Keith QC, representing the South African authorities, read out a statement from a staff nurse at The Priory detailing Mr Dewani's "volatile" conduct.

He said: "She reports that... he had never been fully compliant, he complained a lot. He has shouted at staff and been aggressive towards them."

He had also grown irritated, on occasions, at being under observation by staff, the court was told.

Taxi driver jailed

Mr Dewani remains subject to £250,000 bail and the requirement he reports daily to a local police station.

Mrs Dewani, from Sweden, was shot when a cab the couple were travelling in was hijacked in the Gugulethu township in Cape Town.

Her body was later found in the abandoned car. Mr Dewani had been released unharmed.

Mziwamadoda Qwabe, 25, and Xolile Mngeni, 23, are charged with murder, kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The trial in South Africa of Mr Qwabe and Mr Mngeni has been postponed until 1 June for further investigation.

Taxi driver Zola Tongo, 31, from Bothasig, Cape Town, has been sentenced to 18 years in jail for murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances and perverting the course of justice.

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