GUILTY South Africa - Gill Packham, 57, murdered, Cape Town, 22 February, 2018 *arrest*

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Timely reminder JJ. Thank you. Somehow I think he will only get 15 years but he is an obnoxious, uncaring, pretty ruthless character and deserves life. If he gets more I shall be delighted.
 
So, following the above 'guidelines', he will be out in 10 years instead of 7 which would be more palatable but still not long enough for such a toad.
 
Sentencing delayed and will now start at 11:30.
 
No live feed...just Twitter I think.
 
Live stream has still not started.

Judge Elize Steyn walks in. She apologises for a late start to sentencing.

Steyn: Now the court has to determine an appropriate sentence. Court has to take into account all relevant factors and strike a balance.

Steyn: He is no longer a younger man and he is a father of two daughters and their only surviving parent. I am aware of the effect of this sentencing not only on accused but on loved ones of both Rob and Gill.

Steyn says sentencing involves a high degree of responsibility. Referring to case law, she reads out: when the seriousness of crime is considered, views of society must accordingly play an important role.

Steyn: In this matter the accused elected not to testify in mitigation of sentence. His defence put forward several factors for a lesser sentence. His daughter Kerry Meyer testified that she had a close relationship with her father.

Team News24 (@TeamNews24) | Twitter

There seems to be technical issues with the livestream.
 
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Steyn goes through what daughter Kerry had testified... that he was a caring, loving father and had never been violent towards them. She had asked that he "not be put away forever".

Steyn: Kerry's impression was that her parents were working through their marriage difficulties through counselling. She also spoke about how her mom supported them when Rob was unemployed.

Steyn: Kerry was traumatised by her mother's death and that she will never be there for her again. She said her mother was a wonderful, warm, fun person with a big heart.

Steyn: The seriousness of the offences he has been convicted of is self-evident. The court is obliged to sentence the accused to a minimum of 15 years in jail unless there are substantial and compelling circumstances for a lesser sentence.

Team News24 (@TeamNews24) | Twitter
 
Steyn says the court also has the discretion to impose more than the 15-year jail term for murder, if there are substantial aggravating factors.

To recap: The State argued that Rob should be sentenced to life in jail because of several aggravating factors. The Defence argued for 12 years, or a maximum of 15 years.

Steyn: The personal circumstances of the accused are his mature age, his education, lack of previous convictions, his employment and other relevant conduct and activities.

Steyn: The accused was 57 when the crimes were committed. I do not agree that he is a man of advanced years. He is a fit, strong middle-aged individual. Neither of his daughters are minors.

Team News24 (@TeamNews24) | Twitter
 
Steyn: Rob has been incarcerated for some months as a result of breaching his bail conditions. He is a first offender. The court spoke about a possible fight between him and his wife after she voiced her concerns about having trust issues.

Steyn: The accused was disloyal and deceitful and displayed fatal violence to his wife of more than 30 years. He even attempted to get a colleague to give a false alibi. He was disdainful and disinterested with investigation. He has shown no remorse.

Steyn: His attitude is self-centred and deceitful, seemingly not concerned with how the murder must have traumatised his daughters. The police became justifiably suspicious and didn't believe his lies.

Steyn says Gill's murder was callous, brutal and shocking. She must have suffered extreme shock and horror at realising what was happening. Violence was excessive and in the sanctity of her home. Instead of contacting ambulance or police, he covered it up.

Team News24 (@TeamNews24) | Twitter
 
Steyn: No doubt, Gill's defences must have been down just before she was murdered in her own home. She will never live to see her grandchildren.

Steyn focuses on the prevalence of violence against women in South African society. Domestic violence is hidden and has brutal effects on society and on family life.

Steyn says it is undeniable that the country is experiencing high levels of crime, especially against women. In another case, it was stated that intimate partner violence makes up huge proportion of violent cases.

Steyn: The accused must not be sacrificed or given excessive sentence. At the same time, the court must take into account the interests of society and deterring other potential offenders.

Team News24 (@TeamNews24) | Twitter
 
Steyn turns to aggravating factors. The deceased was a middle-aged woman of petite stature, murdered by her fit, strong husband of many years. He broke the strongest bones in her skull. She trusted him and looked to him for protection.

Steyn: "The motive for the crime has not been divulged but it appears to be mostly frustration and anger."

Team News24 (@TeamNews24) | Twitter
 
Steyn: His conduct was morally reprehensible by putting the body of his wife in a car, driving around for dumping spots and then setting her alight. His actions prevented loved ones from closure and added to their shock.

Steyn: "Not once did he mention that he misses his wife or feels sympathy for his children."

Steyn: There are many factors to justify a sentence greater than the minimum of 15 years in jail. She asks him to stand as she nears the end of her judgment.

Team News24 (@TeamNews24) | Twitter
 
At least he didn't get only 15 but still out in 10 :(. Do we know which prison and if he is going to appeal? I have been out all morning and have just logged on to read the goodish news.

Thank you for covering this trial so brilliantly JJ.
 
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Will serve less than half the sentence! I didn’t realise that. :(
 
IB, he was sentenced 18 years for murder plus 2 years = 20, so they're not concurrent. That would mean 9 years for murder plus 2 = 11 years.
 
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