Springs Monster ‘a sadistic psychopath’
A clinical psychologist has told the North Gauteng High Court that the man, dubbed the Springs Monster, can been described as a psychopath with sadistic traits.
Sentencing proceedings against the 40-year-old and his ex-wife started on Monday.
In August, the father was found guilty of raping his 16-year-old daughter and the attempted murder of his 11-year-old son.
Both parents were found guilty of five counts of child neglect and possession of drugs.
They were arrested in May 2014, when their son ran to neighbors for help after he was severely beaten by the father.
The five children were found in the double story house in Springs, malnourished and not in school.
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The names of the parents are being withheld to protect the identity of the children.
Stollar Bronwyn, who assessed the father, told the court he had been abused by his own father, who at one point even shot and wounded his mother.
“The seriousness of the presence of pyschotomy and sadistic traits in this accused has long-term and further contributes for his high risk of violence,” Bronwyn told the court.
When asked whether the father can be rehabilitated, she said there can be some improvement with intervention but he cannot change his sadistic traits.
The mother was assessed by another psychologist, whose reports states that she like the father, shifts blame to others for what happened, including accusing the children of lying.
The court also heard that the father has started his own church in prison since his arrest, Bronwyn indicated that this showed his need for control and manipulation which is found in most psychopaths.
State prosecutor Jennifer Cronje told the court, the oldest children who are now 20 and 15 years-old, want nothing to with the parents.