Convicted wife-killer back behind bars for fatal assault on friend

THE SPRINGBOK Regional Court sentenced 57-year-old Patrick Leonard Damon to 20 years of direct imprisonment for the murder of his friend, Mornè Hamilton Huskitt, 43, following a fight in Komaggas.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said Damon and Huskitt, both casual labourers, used their daily earnings to purchase alcohol on August 19, 2023.

"After consuming the alcohol at Damon's residence, they went to look for Damon’s girlfriend. They found her at a mutual friend’s house where they continued drinking with the group, , which included Damon, his girlfriend, the mutual friend, and the friend’s wife. They later  fetched additional alcohol, including a five-litre box of wine, from Damon’s house." 

Senokoatsane said Damon became enraged after seeing Huskitt sitting between his girlfriend’s legs.

"Damon kicked Huskitt with mining boots reinforced with steel toes and slapped him. Huskitt retaliated by pinning Damon to the bed. The mutual friend intervened and asked Damon to leave the premises. Huskitt left the house, but Damon refused to go and had to be physically removed." 

He said Huskitt was waiting for the gate to be opened when Damon followed him.

"Moments later, the friend, who was preparing to lock the gate, saw Huskitt lying face down on the ground. Damon was seen walking away from the scene without offering any assistance. Huskitt was taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Kimberley. He never regained consciousness and passed away on  August 26, 2023. 

“Following a thorough investigation by Sergeant Chantal Cloete of the South African Police Service, Damon was arrested and charged with murder." 

Senokoatsane said a pathologist confirmed that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the skull, consistent with a kick from Damon’s steel-toe mining boots.

"During the trial, Damon chose not to testify. In aggravation of sentence, State prosecutor Basil Kock submitted that Damon had a prior conviction where he was found guilty of the murder, rape and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm of his wife on August 11, 2010. He was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment and released on parole on March 20, 2017. His parole ended three months before the current offence was committed." 

Kock argued that Damon had shown no remorse and had not taken the court into his confidence.

"He further highlighted the prevalence of violent crime in the region and noted that Damon’s previous sentence had failed to rehabilitate him. The court found no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify deviating from the prescribed minimum sentence. The court accepted the State’s arguments and sentenced Damon to 20 years’ of direct imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm." 

Senokoatsane said the NPA remained committed to tackling serious violent crime, including murder, and ensuring that repeat offenders were held accountable.

"The NPA also recognises the destructive role alcohol abuse plays in escalating violence, often turning social settings into scenes of irreversible tragedy. We urge communities to address the root causes of alcohol-related violence and to work collaboratively with law enforcement, civil society, and support organisations. Only through a united effort can we build safer communities and protect the sanctity of life," said Senokoatsane.