Coke case: Murderer’s appeal dismissed

A mother who survived a horrific knife attack during which her only daughter was stabbed to death, is grateful an appeal by their attacker against the two sentences handed down has been dismissed.

On May 27, three Pretoria High Court judges delivered their decision to dismiss an appeal by Charles Peter Barker against his sentences for the 2018 murder of Adrianne Coke (21) and the attempted murder of her mother (then also his fiancé), Bettina-Ann Coke in Western Extension.

Barker (45) was sentenced to life imprisonment for the premeditated murder of Adrianne Coke (21) and 18 years for the attempted murder of Bettina-Ann (52), in August 2020.

In addition, the court fixed a non-parole period of 25 years.

Bettina-Ann told Benoni City Times she is pleased that the law is here to protect society from Barker, who she calls ‘a dangerous psychopath’.

“We, as South Africans, should be honoured that the new law for murder was brought into being. Life is 25 years. However, it will never bring Adrianne back. I know where she is and I will see her again one day.

“Thank you to friends, family and associates for the support during this difficult time that our family had to again endure.”

Bettina holds steadfast to a Bible verse she said the Lord gave to her last year when she was informed that Barker would appeal his sentences: “And the Lord, He it is that doth go before thee: he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed (Deuteronomy 31:8).”

ALSO READ: LISTEN: Life sentence provides some form of closure for Coke family

Statistics

Noted by acting judge of the Pretoria High Court Ian Cox in the delivery of the decision is that Barker has a previous conviction of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm as well as for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances, both of which stem from one incident. He was released on parole in 2015 and was still on parole when the current offences were committed.

Cox also said what is noteworthy is that in all the offences a knife was his weapon of choice and the victims in all the instances were people near and dear to him.

“The deceased and her mother have become part of the statistics of the scourge of gender-based violence in the country,” Cox said.

“Gender-based violence in domestic relationships has increased at an alarming rate and caused legislature to recently effect amendments to the Criminal Law Amendment Act to also provide for minimum sentences in cases of murder involving domestic relationships.

“The deceased paid the ultimate price for attempting to protect her mother against the appellant.”

ALSO READ: UPDATE: Accused in Caiphus Nyoka murder case loses job in Iraq, bail conditions amended