John Maree (28) will spend 13 years in prison after being found guilty on housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
Maree has been having problems with the law since last year. He was arrested on March 1, 2017 for a theft he committed at a local mine.
He appeared in court on the same day and was denied bail. Maree remained in custody until March 8, 2017. On the next court date (April 4, 2017) the 28-year-old received R1 000 bail.
Eleven days after receiving bail he committed another offence at Ga-Nala, this time of house breaking and theft.
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Maree stole a firearm safe with a firearm (7.65 mm), magazine and three live rounds, jewellery, money, knives and keys to a Mercedes Benz.
He was arrested on March 18, 2017, appeared again in court the following day facing charges of housebreaking with intent to steal, possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
His case was transferred to Kriel Regional Court on October 17, 2017.
On Wednesday, February 14 the magistrate, Johannes Combrink found him guilty on three counts. He was sentenced to four years imprisonment for count one which is housebreaking with intent to steal and theft.
For count two, possession of an unlicensed firearm he got eight years and for count three, possession of ammunition he was sentenced to 12 months.
Maree will be behind bars for 13 years.
