Child rapist and murderer Mortimer Saunders has received two life sentences, which will run consecutively.
Judge Babalwa Mantame previously said Saunders’ behaviour was the “most brutal, ruthless and vicious this court has ever seen” and that the little girl died a “harrowing and painful death”.
Previously, the court also heard Saunders had a “thing” about poison.
“He accused his parents, his own aunt, his youngest child’s mother and the deceased’s mother of trying to poison him. He is paranoid about it,” State witness Jeremy Kessie of the Social Development Department said during sentencing proceedings.
During judgement proceedings, the judge said Saunders might have harboured negative feelings toward Juanita, but this was not reason enough to violate and kill Courtney to get back at her mother.
“The crimes committed by the accused were for lewd and selfish reasons. This was a painful, harrowing and agonising experience for the deceased. It shows by her injuries,” Mantame said.
Judge Mantame said Courtney's mom Juanita was exempt from prosecution for negligence, as she had been open with the court and had “suffered enough”.