He drugged Vicki Terblanche and had sex with her as she was passing out, before callously dumping her body in a shallow grave.
And now, former schoolteacher Reinhardt Leach says he is sorry.
Just moments after being found guilty of murdering his girlfriend, the 36-year-old told the Gqeberha high court via a letter read out by defence advocate Jodine Coertzen on Wednesday: “I am deeply sorry for the pain I have caused.”
Judge Samson Dunywa found him guilty of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and illegal possession of a firearm.
Leach’s apology came four years after the 42-year-old mother was found in a shallow grave in an open field in Greenbushes.
She had been drugged with a Schedule 6 opioid and suffocated with a pillow in October 2021.
Vicki was reported missing to the police by Leach the day after her murder.
Leach’s friend, Dylan Cullis, who pleaded guilty to his role in the murder and is serving 18 years behind bars, led the police to Vicki’s grave.
Another friend, Mario de Ridder Jnr, has turned state witness, while Vicki’s estranged husband, Arnold Terblanche, is due to stand trial in October.
Terblanche has vehemently denied the state’s claims that Vicki was killed at his behest because of their messy divorce and custody battle over their minor son.
After Dunywa’s verdict, Coertzen read out a letter penned by her client.
“To the honourable judge, Vicki’s family, friends, [Vicki’s son], and my own family, I write this letter with a heavy heart, knowing that no words can take away the pain I have caused.”
Seated in the public gallery, Leach’s mother and father burst into tears.
“I am deeply sorry for the tragic loss of Vicki and the suffering her family, especially [her son], has endured. I understand my remorse cannot undo the heartbreak you live with every day.”
He said he took full responsibility for his actions and would live with the consequences for the rest of his life.
“Since being incarcerated at the North End Prison, I have had time to reflect on my life, my choices and the consequences of my actions.
“During this time, I have turned to God, seeking His guidance, mercy and forgiveness.
“Through faith, I have come to truly understand the depth of the pain I have caused, and for all those who have been hurt by my actions.
“To [Vicki’s son], I know that no words can ever bring back your mother or ease your pain.
“I failed to protect someone who was precious to you, and for that, I am deeply ashamed. I pray that God grants you strength and comfort.
“To my own family, I have let you down in the most unimaginable way.
“Mum and Dad, you raised me with love, taught me right from wrong, and yet my actions have brought you so much pain.
“I can only hope that, in time, you find it in your hearts to forgive me.
“I regret the disgrace I have brought upon our name and the suffering my family now endures because of me.
“To [the judge], I do not write this letter to excuse myself, but to accept the consequences of my actions.
“My faith has taught me that true repentance is not only about seeking forgiveness but about living a changed life.
“I am committed to continuing my journey of rehabilitation and ensuring such incidents never recur.
“I know that I cannot change the past, but I pray that my future will reflect the lessons I have learnt.
“I will continue to seek God’s guidance as I try to live a life of accountability, remorse and faith.”
During Leach’s trial, however, a blame game ensued between Cullis and Leach as to who had suffocated Vicki after she was drugged.
While the state rejected Leach’s guilty plea on the murder charge, disagreeing with certain aspects of his version of events, he maintained that it was Cullis who ultimately placed the pillow over Vicki’s head.
Cullis, who played open cards with the police from the start, denied this, claiming it was Leach who suffocated his own girlfriend.
Dunywa, however, found it to be irrelevant due to the sheer volume of drugs in her system.
“Even if she was suffocated, she was going to die from the intoxication of drugs.
“It is therefore not important for the court to make a finding on which witness is credible between the accused and Cullis.
“All the perpetrators had one common goal — to kill the deceased,” the judge said.
“There was a shared purpose to commit murder.
“The participants acted together to achieve that purpose.
“The participants conspired to buy drugs for the deceased to use, which led to her overdose after the initial plan to shoot her [failed].
“There is overwhelming evidence from both the state and the defence that the participants had a common purpose to remove the deceased from society.”
Argument in aggravation and mitigation of sentence will be heard on Thursday, with sentencing set down for Friday.
The Herald
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