
Cape Town – An appeal by convicted wife killer Rob Packham’s daughters for him to be given a lesser sentence proved fruitless when he was sentenced to 22 years' direct imprisonment yesterday.
In a scathing sentencing, Western Cape High Court Judge Elize Steyn said Packham, 58, had showed no remorse or empathy during his trial, even though his eldest daughter had pleaded with the court to “not put him away forever”.
Packham received a 20-year prison sentence for murder and four years for defeating the ends of justice, of which two were suspended.
Despite being described as a “good, caring father” by daughters Kelly and Nicola, Judge Steyn said these were “attributes not exhibited when he killed their mother”, Gill.
Judge Steyn said Packham had “steadfastly refrained from being honest with the court”, and although there was no motive for the murder, she believed it was rooted in “frustration and anger”.