Former Hawks captain sentenced to 11 years imprisonment for various charges

At the height of her career as a crime fighter, she was responsible for putting away Baby Jordan Lee Norton’s killer for life, but now, former Hawks captain, Esmeralda Bailey, will herself spend time behind bars.

The 55-year-old was on Tuesday sentenced by the Bellville Serious Commercial Crimes Court for charges ranging from corruption, possession or use of drugs, obstruction of administration of justice.

PICTURE: Pixabay

This case is more than a decade in the making with Bailey first being charged in 2011.

‘’At the time she was attached to Serious Organised Crime Investigation. The accused was arrested during an intelligence driven operation where she tried to sell police uniform and ammunition. During a search and seizure operation, exhibits and case dockets were found in her apartment. She has been out on bail ever since. In 2013 she was dismissed departmentally,’’ said Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani.

Bailey’s sentence follows after numerous court appearances. She was found guilty on 21 November 2023 on the following counts:

Count 1: Corruption

Count 3: Possesion of Drugs

Count 4 to 8: Obstruction of Justice

Count 9: Negligent loss of firearm

 

The accused was found not guilty on the following :

Count 2: Possesion of Ammunition

Count 5: Defeating the Administration of Justice

 

Bailey was sentenced as follows:

Count 1: Corruption, sentenced to 11 years imprisonment.

Count 3: Possession or use of drugs sentenced to 6 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 4 years.

Counts 4,6,7,8: Obstructing the administration of justice sentenced to  2 years imprisonment.

Count 9: Negligent loss of firearm sentenced to 36 months imprisonment.

Hani says all sentences will run concurrently. Effectively, Bailey will serve eleven years direct imprisonment

Bailey is known for her investigation that led to Dina Rodrigues being sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of baby Jordan Leigh Norton in June 2005.

The Provincial Head Major General Mathipa Makgato welcomed the sentence and further mentioned that corruption of any form will never be tolerated.

 

Done by: Elona Sibunzi