PORT ELIZABETH - WESTERING MAN INVOLVED WITH INTERNATIONAL PORN SYNDICATE AWAITS SENTENCING

A Port Elizabeth man who admitted to being part of a syndicate that distributed images of babies being sexually abused will soon know his fate.

Jayde Sheldon, 33, from Westering was back in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court on Thursday where the case against him was postponed to Friday to obtain a correctional supervision report, as well as for sentencing proceedings. He previously pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

Sheldon and a 22-year-old woman from Westering are alleged to have been part of an international child pornography ring that distributed footage of the rape, torture and murder of babies, including newborns.

Charges against the pair relate to the importing, possession and distribution of films or publications which contain depictions or descriptions which encourage or promote child pornography or the sexual exploitation of children. The case against the pair was separated and a trial date is expected to be set for the woman on Friday.

State Advocate Jason Thysse said that he had witnesses forming part of an international team who needed to be flown in to testify.

The case, which is sensitive in nature, had an investigating team in Johannesburg working together with the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Belgian police.

It is understood that after the arrest of the Port Elizabeth pair, 81 other leads were followed up internationally.

In addition six arrests were made in Belgium and three arrests in the United States, involving people who allegedly belonged to the same network.

VIA - iol