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Christopher Panayiotou admits to cheating on Jayde

MANY CHARGES: Christopher Panayiotou, one of the three people arrested over the murder of his wife Jayde, appeared in court yesterday Photo: Mike Holmes
MANY CHARGES: Christopher Panayiotou, one of the three people arrested over the murder of his wife Jayde, appeared in court yesterday Photo: Mike Holmes

Christopher Panayiotou‚ the businessman accused of orchestrating his wife Jayde’s abduction and murder‚ admitted on Thursday to having a romantic relationship with Chanelle Coutts.

Advocate Terry Price read Panayiotou’s new affidavit to the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court in which he admits to the relationship with Coutts‚ 26‚ a manager at his OK Grocer store‚ in reply to the state’s case on Thursday afternoon.

The state alleges that Panayiotou allegedly bought his mistress numerous gifts‚ and they met secretly at hotels‚ restaurants as well as at his house‚ eNCA’s Karyn Maughan tweeted‚ adding that his father disapproved and had threatened to disinherit him if the affair continued. This was denied by Panayiotou.

Earlier on Thursday the court heard that there were numerous prior attempts to kill Jayde Panayiotou‚ 29‚ and that her husband allegedly paid R70‚000 to have her killed.

This was according to prosecutor Marius Stander who said the murder was originally planned to take place at Stella Glen. He added that Jayde’s abduction and murder – exactly a month ago on Thursday – was meant to look like a robbery.

Schoolteacher Jayde was abducted on April 21 outside the Kabega Park townhouse complex where they lived while waiting for a friend to collect her for work. Her body was found the next day on a farm in Rocklands. She had been shot three times.

Panayiotou‚ 28‚ faces charges of murder‚ conspiracy to commit murder‚ kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Luthando Siyoli‚ 31‚ and Sizwezakhe Vumazonke‚ 30‚ are Panayiotou’s co-accused.

Panayiotou’s bail application was postponed to Tuesday May 26.

 

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