'The media demonised murderer'

THE media has played a large part in portraying a negative image of taxi driver Jacob Humphreys, the high court in Cape Town heard yesterday.

"He has been labelled as jakkals (jackal) and as a child murderer," criminologist Claire Wolff said while reading out the pre-sentencing report in mitigation of sentence.

"Most people receive information about such events from the media, thus the media has a unique ability to direct and persuade public opinion," she said.

It was the belief of Humphreys' family that most negative feelings came from further afield than his community.

Humphreys, who had his R20000 bail reinstated last year, was found guilty of murder and attempted murder.

He was taking children to school on August 25 last year when he stopped at the Buttskop level crossing in Blackheath, overtook a row of cars, ignored safety signals and proceeded over the tracks.

A train hit the taxi and 10 of the children were killed. Four children were seriously injured.

Wolff said that after conducting interviews with Humphrey's family and friends, she believed he was an upstanding community member.

Humphreys was a ward leader for the Roman Catholic Church and held regular prayer meetings and Bible studies.

Community members told her they were all very good friends with him prior to the event. In one instance, he had offered his support to a neighbour whose child had died. He also played a key role in the criminal rehabilitation of a friend's daughter, Wolff said.