The Herald : News

Killer of girl gets two life sentences

SALT Lake child-killer David Noel yesterday received two life sentences after he was found guilty of raping and murdering 11-year-old Van der Kemp Primary Grade 5 pupil Celestine Jonkers in March last year.

Noel appeared calm as Judge Chris Jansen handed down the prison sentences and even smiled at some people in the gallery when he was led away by police.

In passing sentence, Judge Jansen said communities were outraged by such crimes and that if courts did not impose maximum sentences it could lead to them taking the law into their own hands.

On Wednesday, the 21-year-old claimed he was in fear for his life when he made a statement to a magistrate admitting to cutting Celestine Jonkers throat after she resisted his advances. He said that he was forced by his friend, John “Devil” Odendaal, to stab Celestine in the neck. He also claimed Mr Odendaal told him he would kill him and his sister if he did not own up to the killing.

However, when Mr Odendaal testified he denied having anything to do with the murder.

The evidence of State witnesses, who testified previously, also cleared Mr Odendaal of any wrong- doing. One witness said he was in bed asleep at a friend’s home when the murder was committed. The court had also been told Mr Odendaal was on crutches because of an injured ankle and would have had a great deal of difficulty negotiating the rough terrain at the Windvogel soccer ground where the girl’s body was found.

Witness Roger Boyce said he and others also saw Noel approach Celestine while she was playing with friends, pick her up and say he was going to take her away with him. Everyone thought he was joking.

Judge Jansen said he had no reason to doubt the State witnesses’ evidence and also pointed out that there were inconsistencies in the evidence provided by Noel.

He also said Noel had murdered Celestine to prevent her from identifying him as her rapist. The two knew each other. In mitigation of sentence Eben Nel, for the defence, said Noel lived with his grandmother, which was near to his mother. He had been working for R50 a day and had supported his grandmother, mother and sister as his father was in prison.

Mr Nel said Noel was a first offender, had not had strong role models as a child and also used drugs, specifically dagga and mandrax, from an early age. The murder had also taken place on a day when he had used drugs.

However, State advocate Chris Nel said the court had to take into account the offence, the criminal and the interests of society.

He said the crime was “particularly appalling” and that the little girl had suffered a great deal.

He said the court must reflect the “abhorrence” of society for this type of offence.

“If the court doesn’t do this, then society might indeed take the law into their own hands. Our courts will also lose credibility.”

Judge Jansen agreed with the State advocate when he passed sentence, saying the community had nearly killed John Odendaal just because he had been associated with Noel. He had been severely assaulted and would have been killed had police not arrived.

“If it wasn’t for the police an innocent man would have been killed.” Judge Jansen said every day there were reports of rapes in the newspapers and the public was sick and tired of these crimes.

In handing down the double life-sentence, he said the murder was “brutal” and Celestine was a child. He also warned the public not to take the law into their own hands. They should contact police instead.

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