Henning accused gets suspended sentence
2012-07-26 12:34
Pretoria - One of five men implicated in the Chanelle Henning murder trial walked out of the Pretoria Magistrate's Court with a suspended sentence on Thursday morning.
Preshan Singh was given a five-year jail sentence, suspended for five years. This came after he entered into a plea bargain with the prosecution.
Singh's illegal firearm was reportedly used in Henning's drive-by shooting.
Henning, 26, an assistant school teacher, was gunned down in her car in Faerie Glen in Pretoria shortly after dropping her son off at a crèche on 8 November 2011.
The court was told that Willem Pieterse, a friend of Singh's, borrowed the firearm from him.
Prosecutor Andre Johnson said Singh claimed to have given the firearm to Pieterse without asking what it would be used for.
Under house arrest
He said he only realised the gun could have been used in the murder after he saw the details of the shooting in the media.
Adding to Singh's suspended sentence, the court ruled that he be placed under house arrest for the next three years.
During this period, he will only be allowed out when he goes to work and when he goes to church.
The court stipulated strict limits for him to stay indoors.
During the first three years Singh will also be required to do community service for 16 hours a month, during which time he will clean the Pretoria Correctional offices.
The court heard that Singh was previously arrested for possession of dagga. He was let go after he paid a fine on admission of guilt.
Behavioural therapy
The magistrate ruled that this was not relevant to the case, but still ordered Singh to stay clear of drugs and alcohol for the next three years.
He will undergo random checks for this.
Singh was also ordered to undergo behavioural therapy, which he will have to pay for himself.
In deciding on the plea agreement terms, the court took into consideration the fact that Singh was the breadwinner for his partner and son.
The prosecutor said the State was happy with the plea bargain conditions, adding that Singh was co-operative in giving information needed in the case.
"He is indeed a suitable candidate for the correctional programme," said prosecutor Andre Johnson.
Singh told reporters outside the court: "I'm sorry for the loss [of Chanelle Henning] and I'm glad it's over."
Two people have already been convicted for Henning's murder.
Murder charges
Willem Pieterse and Pretoria police detective Gerhardus du Plessis pleaded guilty to murder, conspiracy to murder and illegal possession of a firearm.
They are each serving an 18-year jail term.
Charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and illegal possession of a firearm against Ambrose Monye and Andre Gouws were transferred from the magistrate's court to the city's high court.
The matter had been set down for trial from November 19 to 30. Gouws was denied bail in March by a Pretoria magistrate.
His bail application would resume on July 30.
- SAPA
