The man known as the Springs Monster was found guilty of the attempted murder of his son, defeating the ends of justice, five counts of child abuse and five counts of child neglect, as well as using and dealing drugs, in the North Gauteng High Court this morning.
The father, who faced 22 charges, was also found guilty, by Judge Eben Jordaan, of the rape of his then 16-year-old daughter.
He was not found guilty on the charges related to the possession and manufacture of explosives.
The man’s wife faced 20 charges and was found guilty of five counts of child neglect, defeating the ends of justice and obstruction of justice and being in possession of drugs.
She was found not guilty of possession and manufacturing of explosives, five counts of child abuse, the attempted murder of her son or and dealing in drugs.
Throughout her trial she claimed that she was an abused and battered woman, which the court found to be true.
The man was arrested on May 23, 2014, after his son, who was 11 at the time, escaped from the house and begged neighbours for help.
The police were called and took the couple’s five children to a place of safety where they have remained since they were saved in 2014.
His mother was arrested on June 23, 2014. Mother arrested in Springs Monster Case
In 2016 the woman pleaded not guilty to all charges against her while her husband pleaded guilty to one of the 22 charges against him – interfering with a police officer while he was on duty during an investigation. State vs defence in “Springs Monster” case
The husband will remain in custody pending sentencing.
His wife’s bail has been extended.
Back-story highlights:
• June 5, 2014: “The man who was denied bail in the Springs Regional Court this morning, is being attended to at Far East Rand Hospital after he slit his wrists.” UPDATED: Father slits wrists with razor
• July 2014: In one of her first appearances, the wife claimed she was also a victim.
• November 2015: Springs Monster still in Weskoppies Hopsital so the case which was due to start on November 17 had to be postponed to the beginning of December.
• May 2016: The trial of the father, dubbed the Springs Monster, and his wife, accused of neglecting their five children and keeping them hostage for years, started in the North Gauteng High Court today (May 23). Springs’ ‘Monster Couple’ trial starts in North Gauteng High Court
• May 26, 2016: The (then) 13-year-old boy and his 18-year-old sister were called to testify, in camera, against their parents. The 13-year-old son, of the Springs Monster and his wife, continued his testimony against his parents today (May 26) in the North Gauteng High Court. UPDATE: Oldest daughter of Springs Monster will testify tomorrow
• June 2016: During the testimony of a police explosives expert, the man dubbed the “Springs Monster” broke down in tears in the South Gauteng High Court today (June 9). “Springs Monster” weeps in High Court
• November 2016: One of the neighbours, who lived in a room behind the ‘House of Horrors’, testified in court about the events on May 24, 2014, the day after the boy escaped from his parents’ house and ran to their neighbours. Monster couple back in court
• November 2016: ‘She cannot be held accountable for her actions.’ Wife of Springs Monster sent for mental observation
• March 2017: The woman testified in gruesome detail about the torture especially her eldest son and sometimes her 16-year-old daughter had to endure at her husband’s hands. ‘Springs Monster’ mom tells of house of hell
• October 2017: Prosecutor Jennifer Cronje said it was clear that criminologist Dr Pixie du Toit had not been successful with her evidence that the 39-year-old woman was not accountable for her actions because she was also a victim of her husband. Springs mother’s lawyer on a fishing expedition
• October 2017: The State attacked the evidence of du Toit who implied, in her testimony on behalf of the woman, that the accused may not be accountable for her actions, including the neglect of her children. UPDATE: Springs Monster case continues – evidence questioned
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