Connect with us

International

20yrs after, South African court slams baby kidnapper with 10-yr sentence

Published

on

Almost two decades after she snatched a newly-born baby from her biological mother’s hospital bedside, a 51-year-old woman who cannot be named to protect the identity she gave to baby “Zephany Nurse”, has been slammed with a 10-year jail sentence by a South African court.
The woman who was found guilty was arrested in 2015 after suspicions were raised when pupils at the school of the girl she kidnapped remarked on her close resemblance to another girl.
DNA tests were later carried out by police which proved that the two girls were sisters, ending 19 years of uncertainty for biological parents, Celeste and Morne Nurse.
Prosecutors wanted the Cape High Court to impose a 15-year sentence on the accused. She was found guilty of kidnapping, fraud and contravening the Children’s Act.
“I can confirm that the accused in this case has been sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment. We are happy with that sentence,” said Eric Ntabazalila, a regional spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority.
 
 
 
 
RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now