In a tragic incident that left the community of Beaufort West, in the Western Cape in shock, a man has been sentenced for the brutal murder of his girlfriend.
Ricardo Jacobs, 39, stabbed his 26-year-old girlfriend, Samantha May, a horrifying 42 times on July 6, 2019, in their home on Safraan Avenue. The most chilling aspect of this heinous crime is that May was stabbed in front of her six-year-old son, who was a witness to the brutal act.
After committing the murder, Jacobs fled the scene, but his escape was short-lived as he was apprehended by the authorities the following day.
In an attempt to deflect blame, Jacobs initially claimed that two Cape Town gang members were responsible for the murder and that they were also after him. However, no evidence was found to support his claims, and he was taken into custody.
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During his arrest, Jacobs refused to cooperate with the police and did not disclose the location of the crime scene. Instead, he was detained for being in possession of a sheep shear. His behaviour raised suspicions, and he was taken to the hospital after speaking incoherently. Despite being kept under police guard, it was eventually discovered that Jacobs was indeed May’s killer.
Throughout the trial, Jacobs’ defence attempted to delay proceedings by requesting a mental observation. The trial was further postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, when the trial finally resumed, May’s traumatized son initially feared facing Jacobs again. With the support and reassurance of the court preparation officer (CPO), the young boy felt safe enough to testify.
State prosecutor Hyron Goulding revealed that Jacobs had initially intended to plead guilty. However, he played a game of cat and mouse, continually shifting blame onto nonexistent gangsters from Cape Town. Goulding called 15 witnesses to testify, including Jacobs’ two brothers, who were serving time for separate matters.
On May 7, the court found Jacobs guilty of murder. He was subsequently sentenced to 20 years of direct imprisonment. The Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Advocate Nicolette Bell, expressed her shock and dismay at the callous nature of the crime, particularly the fact that it occurred in front of May’s young child.
This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address gender-based violence (GBV) and the importance of seeking help in abusive relationships. During the trial, it was revealed that Jacobs had physically abused May, yet she never took legal action against him.
Advocate Bell appealed to all victims of GBV to seek assistance before it is too late. It is crucial for individuals in abusive relationships to reach out to support networks, such as shelters, helplines, and law enforcement, to ensure their safety and well-being. By breaking the cycle of silence and seeking help, lives can be saved, and further tragedies can be prevented.
