GQEBERHA – A 53-year-old Bethelsdorp man will be spending life in prison after he was convicted in the Gqeberha High Court today for the murder of his mother in November 2019 as well as 15 years for robbing her as well. Peter Lyons was also sentenced to 20 years for the murder of another man committed in March 2006.

Mabel Lyons was brutally murdered in her home in Mpuko Street in Jacksonville on the evening of 27 November 2019 by her son. After suffocating her to death, he ransacked the house taking her bank cards and the house keys.  At about midnight he withdrew R1000 cash from her account to buy alcohol. The following afternoon, 28 November 2019, he handed himself over to SAPS Bethelsdorp police.

Lyons also confessed to the murder of his landlord, Dennis Ogle, aged 59, in March 2006. Ogle’s demise also resulted in him being strangled after he became embroiled in an altercation with Lyons.

After his arrest for the murder of his mother, Lyons was also charged for the landlord’s murder.

On Wednesday, 23 March 2022, Lyons was convicted and sentenced. The 15 and 20 year sentences will run concurrent to the life sentence for murder.

The Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Luntu Ngubelanga welcomed the sentencing and iterated that justice has been served on the accused. ‘Such an act of matricide embodies mental instability and insecurity of a son with deep emotional issues. The accused actions were cold and callous and is a danger to society therefore criminals like him must be removed from communities so that the innocent lives of people may be protected. The investigating team at SAPS Bethelsdorp and the prosecuting authority are commended for ensuring that Lyons was sent to jail for a long time,’ added Brig Ngubelanga.

Source: South African Police Service