Man found guilty of stabbing 14-year-old boy

A 25-year-old Brian Louw was found guilty of attempted murder in the Hopetown regional court after being convicted of stabbing a 14-year-old boy in the head with a knife. 

The incident took place on October 9 2022, when the deceased tried to intervene in a dispute between Louw, who was 22 years old at the time and another friend. 

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the complainant sustained a traumatic brain injury following the violent attack. 

"The teenager was left permanently paralysed on the left side of his body and suffered from epilepsy following the incident." 

He stated that in aggravation of sentence, state prosecutor Nicola Van Niekerk submitted a compelling victim impact statement that was compiled by court preparation officer Thandi Diphae detailing the teenager's medical and emotional struggles, as well as the profound toll the incident had taken on his family.

"Louw was ultimately held accountable for the life-altering harm he inflicted on a minor and was sentenced to 10 years of direct imprisonment and declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of the Firearms Control Act.

"The NPA commends the dedication of the prosecution team and all stakeholders involved in securing justice. We remain resolute in our commitment to prosecuting violent crimes and protecting vulnerable members of society. This sentence underscores the justice system’s resolve to ensure that those who harm children and other defenceless individuals are brought to book," Senokoatsane said.