Woman charged with stealing from former Miss World

A woman has been charged with stealing money from former Miss World Diana Hayden.

Ashpal Boghal Ghir denied before Kibera Chief Magistrate Joyce Gardan that she stole Sh209,228 and a bank debit card from Ms Hayden.

Ms Hayden who attended Wednesday’s court proceedings was represented by lawyer Cecil Miller.

“From the onset I wish to bring to the courts attention that Ms Hayden, who is present in court and the accused herein were very close friends before the incident giving rise to the current criminal proceedings,” Mr Miller told the court.

The senior lawyer told the court he will be making submissions on behalf of the complainant when the Director of Public Prosecutions begins to lead evidence in the case.

Mr Miller told the court that the law allows victims lawyers to tender submission and cross-examine witnesses to bring out the salient legal issues at the trial.

He did not oppose Boghal being released on bond saying, “it is purely the prerogative of the court to exercise its jurisdiction judiciously in granting the accused bond unless there are compelling reasons.”

Ms Boghal, who was unrepresented, was charged with stealing the money and bank debit card from Ms Hayden on diverse dates between March 30, 2020 and April 9, 2020 at the Galleria Gardens in Karen, Nairobi.

The accused urged the magistrate to free her bond.

The prosecuting counsel did not oppose the granting of bail to the suspect saying “it was the accused’s fundamental and constitutional right as pronounced under Article 49.”

In her ruling Ms Gardan said bail is a constitutional right of every suspect regardless of the charge one faces.

“There being no compelling reasons advanced by the prosecution, I admit the accused to a cash bail of Sh70,000 or a bond of Sh200,000 with one surety,” Ms Gardan ruled.

The magistrate fixed the case for hearing on August 24.

The case will be mentioned in a fortnight.