Fidentia's J Arthur Brown is at present receiving anti-retroviral treatment in a private clinic after allegedly being sexually assaulted by prisoners in a prison vehicle, the Cape Town magistrates' court heard yesterday.

Fidentia's J Arthur Brown is at present receiving anti-retroviral treatment in a private clinic after allegedly being sexually assaulted by prisoners in a prison vehicle, the Cape Town magistrates' court heard yesterday.

Brown was arrested recently on charges of theft, fraud and money-laundering involving the company Antheru.

Defence attorney William Booth told the court the alleged attack on Brown, while being transported to Pollsmoor Prison, amounted to rape.

Booth said Brown was traumatised by the incident and needed ongoing treatment and therapy. He said Brown was being treated by a physician, surgeon and psychiatrist.

He handed in letters from the three recommending that Brown be kept at the unnamed hospital under police guard.

The proceedings, before magistrate Vusi Mhanga, took place in Brown's absence.

A week ago Mhlanga had remanded Brown to the Cape Town police cells and refused a defence application for him to be held under police guard at any private clinic.

Booth said the commander of Cape Town police station had permitted Brown's transfer to the private clinic at the request of the doctors.

Brown had been remanded to enable Scorpions senior counsel Bruce Morrison to gather information to oppose a bail application by Brown on May 27. - Sapa