Cape Town - Mortimer Saunders has been convicted of the premeditated rape and murder of three-year-old Courtney Pieters. Saunders had steadfastly denied raping the toddler but the court found that Courtney was raped while still alive.
The gallery erupted and people could be seen crying as Judge Babalwa Mantame announced her verdict in the Western Cape High Court.
Saunders was arrested in May last year after Courtney's was found on a rubbish heap in Bofors Circle, Epping Industria. She had been missing for nine days. He had participated in the search for her and supported her family during vigils held to pray for the child's safe return.
In May this year, Saunders admitted to killing the toddler by poisoning her - allegedly because he harboured ill feelings toward her mother. He said it was not his intention to kill Courtney and that he just wanted to make her sick.
Video: Kim Kay/Daily Voice
Sentencing has been postponed to December 4 for arguments in mitigation.