A man from George has been sentenced to 27 years in prison by the George Regional Court for the murder of his wife.
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Andrew Willem Fleming (43) was convicted of the crime after confessing to it in a plea and sentencing agreement with the State. He fatally stabbed his wife, Karin Fleming, on 27 April, 2023.
At the time of her death, the couple had been married for 14 years and had no children. The court heard that Karin’s family frequently interfered in their marriage, causing significant strife. Fleming had severed ties with his mother-in-law, sister-in-law and wife’s niece for four years due to these issues.
The conflict came to a head when Karin received a call from her niece requesting a visit to Wilderness. Fleming advised against it because of past conflicts with the niece, who had previously threatened divorce. Karin eventually told her niece they would not visit. Fleming claimed he heard the niece swearing at him over the phone and received belittling messages via WhatsApp. When he returned home, he found Karin in tears.
Karin suggested they move away from George to stop the family interference. The day before the incident, she had gone to a brunch with her mother and sister, despite Fleming’s objections that she often returned upset from these visits. Upon her return, Karin asked Fleming if he was angry, which he claimed exacerbated his frustration.
He admitted to attacking her while she was on the bed, causing a light stand and knife to fall. He picked up the knife and began stabbing her. As she screamed and questioned his actions, Fleming said he lost count of the stabbings. After she stopped screaming, he checked for a pulse and realised she was dead.
Fleming then washed his hands, dressed, and went to the police station to confess. He led the police to the scene and fully admitted his guilt. In court, he acknowledged that his actions were unlawful and that he understood the difference between right and wrong.
During the sentencing phase, Prosecutor Johannes Marx emphasised the need for a strong message against such crimes, ensuring perpetrators face severe penalties. Fleming’s history of depression and bipolar disorder, along with his troubled upbringing and substance abuse issues, were considered.
Despite his remorse and cooperation, the court decided on a 27-year sentence rather than the life imprisonment usually prescribed for such crimes. Fleming will serve 18 years before being eligible for parole, according to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila.
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