Latest news with #JohannesburgHighCourt
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Daily Record
Nursery teacher admits to drowning partner's young daughter
Amber Lee Hughes confessed to killing young Nada-Jane Challita after she suspected her partner Elie Challita of cheating. A nursery teacher has admitted to murdering her partner's four-year-old daughter in a brutal act driven by jealousy and rage. Amber Lee Hughes confessed to killing young Nada-Jane Challita while the child was in her care in Johannesburg, South Africa, reports the Mirror. Hughes, who suspected her partner Elie Challita of infidelity, sent him a chilling message just before the incident, vowing to "burn [his] heart." As Mr Challita attended a job interview on January 23, 2023, Hughes filled a bathtub with cold water and drowned Nada-Jane by sitting on her, forcing the child's head underwater as she struggled to escape. The court heard Hughes left the water running even after the child was unresponsive. The court was told that Hughes and Challita had been in a relationship for about two years, during which Hughes had moved into the family home. Their time together was described as tumultuous, marked by frequent arguments and escalating tensions. Prosecutor Phindi Mjonondwane said Hughes' growing jealousy ultimately turned deadly. Though Hughes has now admitted to the murder, she continues to deny a separate charge of raping the child, which prosecutors allege occurred in the days leading up to the killing. "I persist with the denial that I have raped the deceased," she told Johannesburg High Court. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Hughes claimed she suffers from borderline personality disorder but acknowledged she was fully aware of her actions during the killing. "The event was triggered by the argument I had with the deceased's father concerning his infidelity, and the final trigger was when he told me that I should stop bombarding him," she said in court. She also revealed she attempted to take her own life after the incident. Speaking outside court, Nada-Jane's father said he was relieved that Hughes had finally admitted to the murder. "Now I know, legally, she killed my child," he said. "I'm now waiting to find out how long she tortured her before she killed her." The case has been adjourned until Thursday, August 7, when the court will hear arguments relating to the rape charge.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Evil nursery teacher ‘raped and drowned lover's daughter, 4, by sitting on tot in bath until she stopped struggling'
AN EVIL nursery school teacher has confessed to murdering her partner's four-year-old daughter by drowning her in the bath. Amber Lee Hughes is also accused of sickeningly raping little Nada-Jane Challita with an object just before killing her. 6 Evil Amber Lee Hughes has admitted to drowning her partner's four-year-old child in a bathtub Credit: Newsflash 6 Ms Hughes is also accused of sickeningly raping little Nada-Jane Challita with an object just before killing her Credit: Newsflash 6 Nada-Jane's dad Elie Challita held back tears as he said after 18 months he is finally relieved to know the truth Credit: Newsflash Ms Hughes told Johannesburg High Court that she sat on the defenceless child to force her head underwater until she stopped breathing. Nada-Jane was killed by Ms Hughes as she was looking to get revenge on the tot's dad over cheating claims, the court in South Africa heard. On January, 23, 2023 Nada-Jane and Ms Hughes were left alone after dad Elie Challita went for a job interview in the South African capital. Elie was then subject to abuse from Ms Hughes who claimed her long-term boyfriend was cheating on her when he was away. read more in South Africa She sent a chilling text which read: "You broke my heart. I'm going to burn yours. How could you do that to me?" The couple's relationship had been marred with infidelity remarks since they started dating back in 2021 before moving in together. Nada-Jane, who had known Ms Hughes for almost her whole life, was living with her dad in the same house. The National Prosecuting Authority's Phindi Mjonondwane said: "During her stay, their relationship was allegedly marked by frequent altercations." Most read in The US Sun But tensions boiled over last year and resulted in Nada-Jane's tragic murder. Hughes had always denied having any involvement in the child's death until the most recent court hearings. My sister was raped & drowned in bath weeks after monster left prison... he is being released but I fear he'll strike again She confessed to the court, saying: "I admit that I suffered from borderline personality disorder at the time of the incident but was aware of what I was doing on that day. "The event was triggered by the argument I had with the deceased's father concerning his infidelity, and the final trigger was when he told me that I should stop bombarding him. "I admit that after the deceased became unresponsive, I left her in the bathtub with the cold water tap still running." Ms Hughes continues to deny raping the girl. She told prosecutors after realising Nada-Jane had died she tried to take her own life but stopped after injuring herself with a glass bottle. Hughes was remanded in custody until the next hearing which is scheduled to take place on August 7. A heartbroken Elie says that after over 18 months he is finally relieved to know the truth. He added: "Now I know, legally, she killed my child. I'm now waiting to find out how long she tortured her before she killed her. "My life has been on hold. Everything is on hold until this thing finishes. "Only then can I look forward, only then can I look after myself, only then can I look at anything else." This is the second disturbing child abuse case to rock South Africa in 2025. Back in May, a twisted mum was sentenced to life in prison after a court heard she " Racquel "Kelly" Smith was jailed alongside two accomplices after being found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking her six-year-old daughter. The trial heard that the child, Joshlin Smith, was sold to a traditional healer for her body parts and never seen again. A witness said Smith had spoken of selling her children for 20,000 rand (£850) each. Another testified that Smith had planned to sell the girl to a healer, called a "sangoma", who wanted the child for her bright green eyes and fair-complexioned skin. 6 Nada-Jane had known her killer for almost her whole life Credit: Newsflash 6 Ms Hughes sat in court during her trial Credit: Newsflash 6 South African Racquel 'Kelly' Smith was also jailed after being found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking her daughter this year Credit: AFP
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Evil nursery teacher ‘raped and drowned lover's daughter, 4, by sitting on tot in bath until she stopped struggling'
The teacher sent a chilling text to her lover before carrying out the depraved act SHEER HORROR Evil nursery teacher 'raped and drowned lover's daughter, 4, by sitting on tot in bath until she stopped struggling' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN EVIL nursery school teacher has confessed to murdering her partner's four-year-old daughter by drowning her in the bath. Amber Lee Hughes is also accused of sickeningly raping little Nada-Jane Challita with an object just before killing her. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Evil Amber Lee Hughes has admitted to drowning her partner's four-year-old child in a bathtub Credit: Newsflash 6 Ms Hughes is also accused of sickeningly raping little Nada-Jane Challita with an object just before killing her Credit: Newsflash 6 Nada-Jane's dad Elie Challita held back tears as he said after 18 months he is finally relieved to know the truth Credit: Newsflash Ms Hughes told Johannesburg High Court that she sat on the defenceless child to force her head underwater until she stopped breathing. Nada-Jane was killed by Ms Hughes as she was looking to get revenge on the tot's dad over cheating claims, the court in South Africa heard. On January, 23, 2023 Nada-Jane and Ms Hughes were left alone after dad Elie Challita went for a job interview in the South African capital. Elie was then subject to abuse from Ms Hughes who claimed her long-term boyfriend was cheating on her when he was away. read more in South Africa ELEPHANT HORROR Millionaire safari boss gored by elephant & stamped to death in S. Africa She sent a chilling text which read: "You broke my heart. I'm going to burn yours. How could you do that to me?" The couple's relationship had been marred with infidelity remarks since they started dating back in 2021 before moving in together. Nada-Jane, who had known Ms Hughes for almost her whole life, was living with her dad in the same house. The National Prosecuting Authority's Phindi Mjonondwane said: "During her stay, their relationship was allegedly marked by frequent altercations." But tensions boiled over last year and resulted in Nada-Jane's tragic murder. Hughes had always denied having any involvement in the child's death until the most recent court hearings. My sister was raped & drowned in bath weeks after monster left prison... he is being released but I fear he'll strike again She confessed to the court, saying: "I admit that I suffered from borderline personality disorder at the time of the incident but was aware of what I was doing on that day. "The event was triggered by the argument I had with the deceased's father concerning his infidelity, and the final trigger was when he told me that I should stop bombarding him. "I admit that after the deceased became unresponsive, I left her in the bathtub with the cold water tap still running." Ms Hughes continues to deny raping the girl. She told prosecutors after realising Nada-Jane had died she tried to take her own life but stopped after injuring herself with a glass bottle. Hughes was remanded in custody until the next hearing which is scheduled to take place on August 7. A heartbroken Elie says that after over 18 months he is finally relieved to know the truth. He added: "Now I know, legally, she killed my child. I'm now waiting to find out how long she tortured her before she killed her. "My life has been on hold. Everything is on hold until this thing finishes. "Only then can I look forward, only then can I look after myself, only then can I look at anything else." This is the second disturbing child abuse case to rock South Africa in 2025. Back in May, a twisted mum was sentenced to life in prison after a court heard she "sold her daughter for her eyes and skin". Racquel "Kelly" Smith was jailed alongside two accomplices after being found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking her six-year-old daughter. The trial heard that the child, Joshlin Smith, was sold to a traditional healer for her body parts and never seen again. A witness said Smith had spoken of selling her children for 20,000 rand (£850) each. Another testified that Smith had planned to sell the girl to a healer, called a "sangoma", who wanted the child for her bright green eyes and fair-complexioned skin. 6 Nada-Jane had known her killer for almost her whole life Credit: Newsflash 6 Ms Hughes sat in court during her trial Credit: Newsflash
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Evil nursery teacher ‘raped and drowned lover's daughter, 4, by sitting on tot in bath until she stopped struggling'
AN EVIL nursery school teacher has confessed to murdering her partner's four-year-old daughter by drowning her in the bath. Amber Lee Hughes is also accused of sickeningly raping little Nada-Jane Challita with an object just before killing her. 6 6 6 Ms Hughes told Johannesburg High Court that she sat on the defenceless child to force her head underwater until she stopped breathing. Nada-Jane was killed by Ms Hughes as she was looking to get revenge on the tot's dad over cheating claims, the court in South Africa heard. On January, 23, 2023 Nada-Jane and Ms Hughes were left alone after dad Elie Challita went for a job interview in the South African capital. Elie was then subject to abuse from Ms Hughes who claimed her long-term boyfriend was cheating on her when he was away. She sent a chilling text which read: "You broke my heart. I'm going to burn yours. How could you do that to me?" The couple's relationship had been marred with infidelity remarks since they started dating back in 2021 before moving in together. Nada-Jane, who had known Ms Hughes for almost her whole life, was living with her dad in the same house. The National Prosecuting Authority's Phindi Mjonondwane said: "During her stay, their relationship was allegedly marked by frequent altercations." But tensions boiled over last year and resulted in Nada-Jane's tragic murder. Hughes had always denied having any involvement in the child's death until the most recent court hearings. She confessed to the court, saying: "I admit that I suffered from borderline personality disorder at the time of the incident but was aware of what I was doing on that day. "The event was triggered by the argument I had with the deceased's father concerning his infidelity, and the final trigger was when he told me that I should stop bombarding him. "I admit that after the deceased became unresponsive, I left her in the bathtub with the cold water tap still running." Ms Hughes continues to deny raping the girl. She told prosecutors after realising Nada-Jane had died she tried to take her own life but stopped after injuring herself with a glass bottle. Hughes was remanded in custody until the next hearing which is scheduled to take place on August 7. A heartbroken Elie says that after over 18 months he is finally relieved to know the truth. He added: "Now I know, legally, she killed my child. I'm now waiting to find out how long she tortured her before she killed her. "My life has been on hold. Everything is on hold until this thing finishes. "Only then can I look forward, only then can I look after myself, only then can I look at anything else." This is the second disturbing child abuse case to rock South Africa in 2025. Back in May, a twisted mum was sentenced to life in prison after a court heard she " sold her daughter for her eyes and skin". Racquel "Kelly" Smith was jailed alongside two accomplices after being found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking her six-year-old daughter. The trial heard that the child, Joshlin Smith, was sold to a traditional healer for her body parts and never seen again. A witness said Smith had spoken of selling her children for 20,000 rand (£850) each. Another testified that Smith had planned to sell the girl to a healer, called a "sangoma", who wanted the child for her bright green eyes and fair-complexioned skin. 6 6 6
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Johannesburg woman admits to killing 4-year-old stepdaughter in court confession
Preschool teacher Amber Lee Hughes (25), charged with two counts of rape and murder of her learner and stepdaughter, Nada-Jane Challita (four), submitted supplementary admissions at the Johannesburg High Court. According to a media statement from NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the admissions were made after the State and defence had fully argued the case and after she changed legal representation. In her admissions, Hughes confessed to drowning the four-year-old after an emotionally charged dispute with the child's father over his infidelity. ALSO READ: Murder suspect appears in court after boy's death in Fleurhof She further stated that she suffered from Borderline Personality Disorder at the time, but maintained she was fully aware of her actions. She also detailed multiple unsuccessful suicide attempts following the incident. However, the accused denied the rape charges, claiming she had no knowledge of the allegations. ALSO READ: Child murder: When home becomes the most dangerous place The case was postponed to August 7 for closing arguments on the admissions. The accused remains in custody until her next court appearance.
