Murder accused Christopher Panayiotou’s second attempt at bail has been dashed.

Panayiotou is accused of hiring two men to murder his 29-year-old wife Jayde in Uitenhage in April.

He’d been granted the right to have his bail appeal heard in the Grahamstown High Court after it was denied in the Port Elizabeth Magistrates Court last month.

The Port Elizabeth businessman’s initial bail application was denied by Magistrate Abigail Beeton.

There were scenes of jubilation inside court after the Port Elizabeth businessman was denied bail for a second time.

Jayde’s mother Michelle Inggs burst into tears as the ruling was handed down.

“I’m so happy, just so happy,” she said.

Panayiotou was not in court today and neither were his defense team or relatives.

He will remain at St.Albans Prison until his next court appearance in August.

Similar arguments

Panayiotou’s legal team last week presented similar arguments during his second attempt at bail.

Defence advocate Mike Hellens told the court they’d be challenging the testimony of state witness Luthando Siyoli.

Siyoli, who was a bouncer at Panayiotou’s bar, was allegedly paid to hire a hitman to kill Jayde.

Hellens also argued that his client is not a flight risk, saying everything Panayiotou owns is tied to his assets, which include his Port Elizabeth businesses.

Panayiotou again argued that conditions in jail are degrading as inmates are forced to use the toilet in front of each other. EWN