Maitland asked me about security camera footage on the day Donna-Lee went missing, neighbour testifies

The Home Circuit Court today heard that Constable Noel Maitland called his neighbour on the day his girlfriend, Donna-Lee Donaldson, was reported missing, trying to ascertain if anything that could jeopardise his promotion in the police force was saved on the apartment complex's security camera system.

Maitland's neighbour, who is testifying remotely, said the policeman asked him if he could get his word that nothing was saved.

However, the witness, who is an economist, said, on the day in question, he told him that he would need to check the system when he got home.

Maitland is being tried for murder and preventing the lawful burial of a corpse in connection with the young woman's murder.

Donaldson, 24, a popular influencer, swimwear entrepreneur, and customer service representative, was reported missing on July 13.

Donaldson's mother, Sophia Lugg, earlier testified that Maitland had picked up her daughter from home on July 11 and that she last spoke to her daughter on the following morning, but that attempts to reach her after failed.

The witness today told the court that Maitland first called him on July 13, about 5:00 p.m., but he was on the road and told him to call back at 7:00 p.m.

According to the witness, Maitland called back and told him that he was up for promotion and enquired if footage from the apartment complex's security camera system was stored.

The witness said he told him that they are recorded, but he doesn't know how long they are stored.

The witness said Maitland told him that he was in the process of being evaluated as part of a promotion and that the department where he worked in the police force would be conducting background checks and therefore he did not want any problematic behaviour of him, such as smoking a ganja spliff, being recorded or stored on camera.

The court heard that the witness lived at the apartment complex for a year and had spoken to Maitland several times.

The court also heard that Maitland had given the witness two telephone numbers when the witness had sought the support of residents to acquire the security camera for the complex.

- Tanesha Mundle

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