Habitual escapee �better off behind bars,� judges say

Mpho Mokwape | Friday July 11, 2014 15:34

 

Appearing before a bench of Elijah Legwaila, Monametsi Gaongalelwe and Arthur Hamilton, Oduetse was told that he did not have the right to appeal the sentence he was given for committing a crime while on the run.

Earlier in his appearance before the CoA bench, Oduetse said he had been in jail since 2004 serving an 18-year sentence for various offences and deserved mercy for the years spent inside.

However the judges were appalled to hear that Oduetse committed other crimes during the time he escaped from jail..

Asked why he was convicted of two crimes – in 2006 and 2010 – when he was supposed to be in jail, Oduetse admitted that he had escaped, prompting the judges to tell him that he was a menace to society and “deserved to be locked far away”.

The judges said it was clear that he was troublesome and could not resist criminal activities, even when he knew he was a wanted man.  “It seems like you can’t keep away from being a criminal and as such we have to look out for the society’s interest and safety especially the victims that suffered in your hands, not just what you want,” said Legwaila.

The judges said they found no grounds at all for Oduetse to have even been given leave to appeal the 10-year jail sentence for robbery he committed in 2010.

“Tell us what you want us to do,” the judges said.

“Do you want us to set aside the whole sentence despite you having been convicted? That would be suicidal for the justice system as others would want the same treatment.”

According to court documents, Oduetse has a series of convictions ranging from shop breaking, burglary, escaping from lawful custody and robbery.