Plettenberg Bay court hands down 20-year sentence for brutal attack on elderly couple
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The Plettenberg Bay Regional Court has sentenced a man to 20 years direct imprisonment following his conviction for an attack on an elderly couple who were robbed.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said a panga-wielding Cole Bruiners robbed the couple in January 2024, as they walked along Challenge Drive.
He wanted to rob the woman of her bag, but she resisted.
Ntabazalila said a struggle ensued, and Bruiners assaulted her with the panga, leaving her with bruises and cuts on her upper body.
He also stabbed her husband on the head as he tried to stop the robbery, leaving the husband with a laceration to the left side of his skull.
"The accused took the couple's hats before he fled," Ntabazalila said.
"The incident was caught on CCTV cameras, and the footage was widely circulated. He was recognised by a member of the community forum, and a search ensued for his arrest.
"He was arrested the following day, and the police found him with the panga. He cooperated with members of the community forum and the police and pointed out where he sold the stolen items.
"The couple's items were later recovered."
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The court sentenced Bruiners to 15 years direct imprisonment for each count of robbery with aggravating circumstances and ordered the second count of robbery with aggravating circumstances to run concurrently with the first count of the same crime.
He was effectively sentenced to 20 years direct imprisonment.
"The NPA welcomes the conviction and sentencing of a man who targeted and terrorised an elderly couple in Plettenberg Bay. This sentence sends a strong message that crimes against vulnerable members of society will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law. The NPA remains committed to ensuring justice and the protection of all communities, especially the elderly," Ntabazalila said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.
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