The Gqeberha woman accused of killing her boyfriend's nine-year-old daughter will remain in custody after being denied bail on Thursday.
The 25-year-old Lesley Anne-Damons will be back in court again next month. She is accused of strangling Quinisha Sebrand to death at Maitlands Beach last month.
On the day of the incident, the two were briefly reported missing by the victim's family after the accused said she had been taking the child for a haircut but did not return home.
Later that evening, she approached the Seaview police station to hand herself in but found it closed.
An Atlas Security Officer in the vicinity called Kabega Park Police at her request, and she led them to the crime scene.
A state witness and investigating officer in the matter told the court that the accused had admitted to strangling the victim with her own shoelaces.
Colonel Rio Kriel provided details of how, according to Damons, she untied the nine-year-old's shoelace and waited until she was done swimming to strangle her.
Damon's Legal Representative, Advocate Mpumelelo Nyoka, said Magistrate Kriban Pillay ruled that there were no exceptional circumstances warring the granting of her bail.
Pillay also said it was not in the interest of justice to grant Damons bail.
A 500 signatory petition opposing her release was submitted before the court by the state. This was signed by community members who said no form of justice would bring Sebrand's life back. Community rights organisation, Enough is Enough, also submitted a letter opposing her release.
Another 400 signature petition attesting to Damons' non-violent nature was submitted by the defense. This document claimed that she had endured three years of abuse at the hands of the victim's father, Quinton Goodman.
The 25-year-old has been remanded in custody at the North End Prison and is expected back before the Ggqeberha Magistrates Court again in May.
