Sentencing in the fraud trial involving the former Nelson Mandela Bay communications director, Roland Williams, has been postponed to Friday in the Port Elizabeth Commercial Crimes court.
Magistrate Lionel Lindoor, was expected to hand down the sentence on Monday but he told the court that he needed more time to decide on an appropriate sentence.
Lindoor said sentencing was the hardest part of the procedure in any criminal case and that he was having sleepless nights regarding the matter.
Williams, earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of insurance fraud after he falsely claimed nearly R100 000 from his insurance company, Santam, for a car accident that never happened.
A Correctional Services officer testified, on Monday, that Williams was a suitable candidate for correctional supervision stating, among her reasons, that he admitted guilt to the charges and he was willing to take responsibility.
The Defence asked the court to deviate from the minimum sentence of 15 years direct imprisonment stating that Williams is remorseful and is willing to pay back the money.
State prosecutor, Theuns Goosen, said he would have liked Williams to take the stand and address the court personally and not via his legal counsel to show that he is remorseful.
Goosen said he took Williams' personal circumstances into consideration and concluded that the matter was a borderline case.
The State, however, also did not ask the court to sentence Roland to the minimum subscribed minimum sentence of 15 years direct imprisonment.
