Man accused of murdering 6-year-old Stacey Adams appears in court amid community anger

The attitude allegedly displayed by the man accused of murdering six-year-old Stacey Adams evoked fury in family members during his first appearance on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old scoffed at photographers snapping pictures of his face after the full gallery in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate's Court heard that he had a pending murder case and three assault cases‚ including one with intent to cause grievous bodily harm‚ against him.

"His attitude in court today made me feel like standing up‚ jumping over the counter and just going to get him myself because my heart is still broken‚" said Stacey's cousin and the family’s spokesperson‚ Lial Daniels‚ speaking outside the court after the brief appearance.

The gallery was filled with family and community members.

The suspect was arrested on Sunday after a community search party found Stacey's body in a tiny shallow grave right behind the Wendy house where he lived. She had been reported missing on Saturday. The grave was in full view of the porch of the Adams family home. The community reacted to the find by petrol-bombing the suspect's family home.

Police used rubber bullets to disperse residents and escorted the suspect away in an armoured Nyala.

Daniels said the family and the community were arranging petitions to oppose bail.

"A loved one is missing from our family now. She was lovely‚ she was playful‚ her heart was full of joy. Everyone loved her‚ she was a lovely kid‚" said Daniels.

"All I can say to my family is we're their support. We always will be there for them but still we will support them‚" added Daniels‚ surrounded by community members who had come to protest outside court.

The family had known the suspect since he was a child and Daniels said they had grown up together. He said that they would greet each other if their paths crossed but that they were never friends.

Members of various community organisations attended the proceedings‚ including the Mitchells Plain Crisis Forum‚ an organisation that was formed after the rape and murder of Courtney Peters from Elsies River last year.

The suspect is charged with rape and murder in this case. The case was postponed to July 24.

MORE: