Gerald-Lee Theron has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the murder of his stepsister Rosemary-Ann Mulder in July.
The eighteen-year-old Theron appeared in front of Magistrate Nkensani Moila in the Springs Regional Court this afternoon to hear his fate alongside George van Zyl, his co-accused on the robbery charge.
At the time of the murder,which happened on Rhodes Street in Geduld, Springs Police spokesperson Capt Johannes Ramphora said details of how Theron gained entry to the house were sketchy.
Ramphora said Theron found his stepsister in the kitchen and attacked her.
The victim’s boyfriend, who was in the bathroom at the time, said he heard a woman screaming and when he went to investigate he saw Theron stabbing the victim.
Theron stabbed the victim 12 times and she died on the scene.
He ran away after committing the crime, but later came back to the house and stole a few items.
UPDATE: Girl murdered on Rhodes Street
During sentencing, Moila spoke sternly to Theron and said in killing his stepsister, in an attack she described as vicious, Theron had violated her constitutional right to life.
“Your attack was cruel and merciless.
“You were not enemies, but brother and sister.
“By taking the life of your sister, your life will never be the same.
“Whatever sentence you get, it will not bring her back,” says Moila.
The magistrate also touched on the impact the murder had on the family as she says Theron’s mother testified that through his actions, she had lost her stepdaughter and Theron had destroyed her marriage.
With regards to sentencing Theron, Moila says the sentence given must promote respect of the law, take into account the seriousness of the offence, serve public interest and serve as a deterrent to others.
Geduld murder suspect to appear in court
“The mitigating factors in your case are your youth, you’re a first time offender and pleaded guilty to what you have been charged with.
“In the aggravating factors, the victim of your robbery was stabbed in the neck and the household items sold while you and van Zyl shared the money, which was made worse by you escaping from custody,” said Moila.
Van Zyl was sentenced to six years in prison for common robbery.
Theron was sentenced to six years in prison for common robbery, five years for escaping from lawful custody and 12 years for the murder of his stepsister.
The first two counts will be served concurrently and Theron will spend 17 years in jail.
Both were found unfit to possess a firearm.
The two have 14 days to file an appeal.
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