The Gqeberha High Court has sentenced a 53-year-old Bethelsdorp
man to life imprisonment for murder of his mother in November 2019 and 15 years
for robbery.
Peter Lyons was also sentenced to 20 years for the murder of
another man committed in March 2006.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu, Mabel
Lyons was brutally murdered in her home in Mpuko Street in Jacksonville on the
evening of November 27, 2019, by her son.
“After suffocating her to death, he ransacked the house
taking her bank cards and the house keys.
At about midnight he withdrew R1 000 cash from her account to buy
alcohol. The following afternoon, November 28, 2019, he handed himself over to
SAPS Bethelsdorp police,” Naidu said.
She added that Lyons also confessed to the murder of his
landlord, Dennis Ogle (59) in March 2006. Ogle’s demise also resulted in him
being strangled after he became embroiled in an altercation with Lyons.
“After his arrest for the murder of his mother, Lyons was
also charged for the Ogle murder.”
The 15 and 20-year sentences will run concurrent to the life
sentence for murder.
Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier
Luntu Ngubelanga welcomed the sentencing and iterated that justice has been
served on the accused.
“Such an act of matricide embodies mental instability and
insecurity of a son with deep emotional issues. The accused actions were cold
and callous and is a danger to society therefore criminals like him must be
removed from communities so that the innocent lives of people may be protected,”
Ngubelanga said.
“The investigating team at SAPS Bethelsdorp and the
prosecuting authority are commended for ensuring that Lyons was sent to jail
for a long time,” added Ngubelanga.
