A MAN who was sentenced to two life terms by the Ramsgate high court hanged himself soon after his sentencing yesterday.
A MAN who was sentenced to two life terms by the Ramsgate high court hanged himself soon after his sentencing yesterday.
Musa Goodman Shabane, 32, appeared in court at midday and was sentenced to 15 years in prison for housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery with aggravating circumstances a life sentence for each of two counts of murder and five years' imprisonment for attempted murder.
His 15 years for the robbery and five years for the attempted murder were to have run concurrently with the double life sentences.
Shabane was found by the police hanging from the the ceiling grid in court holding cell.
It is believed that he committed suicide after the conviction.
Police spokesperson Vincent Pandarum said Shabane was alone in the cell.
"We suspect no foul play in the incident. He had appeared in the court at about 10am for sentencing. When the court adjourned the court orderly locked Shabane up in the court holding cell and removed a second prisoner who was to appear in court," he said.
Pandarum said when the second prisoner was brought back to the cell during the next adjournment, he refused to enter.
"It was then noticed that Shabane was hanging from the ceiling grid.
"The deceased had allegedly used the waist cord from his track pants to hang himself," said Pandarum.
He said Shabane was already dead when he was found hanging.
The body was removed to the Port Shepstone mortuary, where a postmortem will be conducted.
An inquest docket has been opened to investigate the death of the prisoner.
The matter was also reported to the Independent Complaints Directorate.
Convict hangs himself in cell
A MAN who was sentenced to two life terms by the Ramsgate high court hanged himself soon after his sentencing yesterday.
A MAN who was sentenced to two life terms by the Ramsgate high court hanged himself soon after his sentencing yesterday.
Musa Goodman Shabane, 32, appeared in court at midday and was sentenced to 15 years in prison for housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery with aggravating circumstances a life sentence for each of two counts of murder and five years' imprisonment for attempted murder.
His 15 years for the robbery and five years for the attempted murder were to have run concurrently with the double life sentences.
Shabane was found by the police hanging from the the ceiling grid in court holding cell.
It is believed that he committed suicide after the conviction.
Police spokesperson Vincent Pandarum said Shabane was alone in the cell.
"We suspect no foul play in the incident. He had appeared in the court at about 10am for sentencing. When the court adjourned the court orderly locked Shabane up in the court holding cell and removed a second prisoner who was to appear in court," he said.
Pandarum said when the second prisoner was brought back to the cell during the next adjournment, he refused to enter.
"It was then noticed that Shabane was hanging from the ceiling grid.
"The deceased had allegedly used the waist cord from his track pants to hang himself," said Pandarum.
He said Shabane was already dead when he was found hanging.
The body was removed to the Port Shepstone mortuary, where a postmortem will be conducted.
An inquest docket has been opened to investigate the death of the prisoner.
The matter was also reported to the Independent Complaints Directorate.