The Yika brothers and Lucas Makua were all found guilty of the murder of British expat Sue Howarth during an attack at her Marchlands farm on February 17, 2017.

Ms Howarth was shot and dumped next to the road alongside her husband Robert Lynn after a brutal attack on their farm, in which Mr Lynn was tortured with a blow torch.

The trio were convicted on charges of murder and attempted murder in March this year.

They were also convicted on a slew of other counts, including housebreaking with intent to rob, aggravated robbery, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of ammunition, the discharge of a firearm in a public setting, theft and two counts of kidnapping.

Pre-sentence reports were handed in during today’s proceedings, alongside a victim impact statement from Mr Lynn, who has since moved back to the UK.

Ms Howarth’s best friend, Claire Taylor, also addressed the court in aggravation of sentencing through a victim impact statement read aloud in court.

Ms Taylor said she still has to deal with the trauma after having to identify Ms Howarth’s body following a post-mortem.

She remained at Ms Howarth’s side after the attack until her passing at Life Midmed Hospital.
Ms Howarth was shot in the head while lying asleep in her bed while the housebreaking unfolded.

The state argued for life sentences.

The sentencing was postponed to Thursday.

• Lucas Makua passed away in custody following his conviction alongside the Yika brothers.