Joslin’s mother reacts with eye-roll at prospect of ‘maximum sentence’

In the Western Cape High Court, Kelly Smith, the mother of Joslin Smith, smirked and rolled her eyes during sentencing proceedings following her guilty verdict for kidnapping and trafficking.

Authorities accuse Kelly of masterminding her daughter’s disappearance last year, alleging that she sold the child for R20,000 to support her drug addiction.

Kelly Smith seen smiling in court before sentencing

Last Friday, Kelly Smith appeared in the Western Cape High Court alongside her co-accused, boyfriend Jacquin “Boeta” Apollis and friend Steven van Rhyn.

The court found all three guilty of kidnapping and trafficking Joslin Smith, with reports naming Kelly as the “mastermind” behind the crime.

A video shared on social media showed Kelly smiling with her co-accused and interacting with people in the gallery. When asked a question, she responded by rolling her eyes.

Kelly’s theatrical behaviour comes amid the accused’s sentencing, which will take place at the Multipurpose Centre in Diazville in Saldanha. 

Their hearings are scheduled for this week, and the sentence will be handed down on Thursday, 29 May.

MAXIMUM SENTENCE?

Meanwhile, a criminal defence attorney believes that Judge Nathan Erasmus may possibly hand down a harsh sentence, given the lack of remorse shown by Joslin Smith’s mother, Kelly Smith.

William Booth told EWN: “So, the fact that the child has not been recovered, either a body or found, if she is still alive, is an aspect that I believe could be regarded as aggravating. The State will present evidence requesting the maximum sentence to be imposed.”

Pressure is also mounting for Kelly to shed light on the whereabouts of her missing daughter.