'He is a callous, brutal killer'

2007-08-08 08:06

Linza de Jager

Cape Town - "He is a cold, calculated, callous, brutal killer. He should be sentenced to life."

That is what the State said of Theunis Olivier in its closing argument, in the Cape High Court, on Tuesday.

Olivier, the predatory paedophile who kidnapped, sodomised and murdered Steven Siebert, 6, on December 23 2005, sat with his head bowed, listening to the description of himself.

With his lined and wrinkled face, wearing clothes that quite clearly dated from the 70s, the monster looked like an ugly old man, almost appearing harmless.

But it appeared there were many skeletons in his cold and murderous closet.

On Tuesday it came to light that the former handyman (who was once a pastor and a Satanist) was not as old as he said he was in his confession.

In it he stated he was 55.

Olivier's advocate Tobie Benadé, told the court on Tuesday his client is only 49 years old, although he looked to be well into his 70s.

He asked the court not to give Olivier a life sentence.

"It will be a living hell to know your redemption will only come through death.

"I can't believe Olivier doesn't harbour a little hope for himself."

These words were ammunition for the State.

Adv Jan Theron, the prosecutor, jumped up and said in disbelief: "He didn't show any mercy, but he expects the court to show him mercy."

"He told the court, the day before yesterday, how he had strangled the little boy and watched him as he was dying." Olivier will be sentenced on Wednesday.

- Kaapse Son