Convicted murderer sentenced to 25 years for killing after sexual encounter in Saldanha

A convicted murderer has been sentenced to an effective 25 years’ direct imprisonment in the Vredenburg Regional Court in the Western Cape.

Wesley Snyders from Saldanha was found guilty of murder after he confessed to murdering 27-year-old Elric Byl. 

Byl was stabbed all over his body, bludgeoned with a rock, and robbed of his cell phone after the two men had sex on the beach in Saldanha. 

In his plea and sentence agreement with the State, Snyders confessed that between January 14 and 17, 2024, he killed Byl by stabbing him and assaulting him with a rock. 

He further admitted to committing a robbery with aggravating circumstances. 

Snyders stated he and Byl agreed to have sex at the beach, and after they had sex, he decided to rob him of his cell phone.

The court heard that when Byl refused to hand over his cell phone, he was stabbed all over his body. When he fell to the ground, Snyders took a rock lying close by and beat him with it. He took the cell phone and ran away. 

Snyders stated that although he was under the influence of drugs, he was still able to differentiate between right and wrong. He further admitted that he at all material times intended to rob and subsequently kill Byl.

Byl was reported missing on January 14, 2024, by his family. His body was only discovered on the beach on January 17, 2024. 

The defence argued that substantial and compelling circumstances that justify a sentence other than the prescribed sentence existed. They argued that the accused was 18 years old at the time of the offence and thus his youthfulness should be considered. He had pleaded guilty and exhibited true remorse. The defence further argued that plea of guilty has spared the State the expense and inconvenience of a protracted trial.

However, the court found in favour of the State. 

The court ordered Snyders to serve two-thirds of the 25-year direct imprisonment sentence before he can be placed on parole. It also ordered the deceased’s family to be notified of the sentence and declared Snyders unfit to possess a firearm. 

robin.francke@iol.co.za

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