Sunnyside vagrant sentenced to life for murder of pregnant girlfriend
The accused stabbed his girlfriend in the neck and chest with scissors multiple times before fleeing the scene.
A 38-year-old vagrant was on March 31 sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his 28-year-old pregnant girlfriend in Sunnyside.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, Trevor Nolan appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, which had previously convicted him for the brutal murder of Monica Matrose, for sentencing.
She said the court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm.
“Nolan and Matrose were homeless, frequently staying at the corner of Park and Wessels streets in Sunnyside,” said Mahanjana.
“On the night of December 9, 2023, at about 22:00, the couple had an argument that escalated into violence. Nolan stabbed Matrose multiple times in the neck and chest with a pair of scissors before fleeing the scene.”
She said, despite her injuries, Matrose managed to crawl to another street dweller and inform him of the attack.
She said the body was tragically discovered at the same location in the early hours of the following morning.
Nolan was arrested two days later, on December 11 and has remained in custody since.
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“Nolan pleaded guilty but sought a lesser sentence, arguing that he needed to care for his three children.
“However, State Prosecutor Mpho Monyane urged the court to impose the maximum sentence, highlighting the brutal nature of the crime and the fact that Matrose was pregnant with Nolan’s child at the time.”
She said Monyane also brought to the attention of the court, Nolan’s previous convictions for serious crimes which include housebreaking and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
“Additionally, the prosecutor emphasised the high prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) in the jurisdiction.”
She said Regional Court Magistrate Mthimunye concurred with the prosecution, stating that Nolan had failed to protect the mother of his unborn child and that his other children were already under the care of social workers.
“The magistrate found no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, ruling that life imprisonment was appropriate.
The NPA welcomes the sentence, reaffirming its commitment to combating gender-based violence and femicide,” said Mahanjana.
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