The Gqeberha High Court has sentenced Reinhardt Leach to 25 years in prison for the 2021 murder of his girlfriend, Vicki Terblanche.

Leach, who was allegedly hired by Vicki’s estranged husband Arnold Terblanche, was found guilty of all eight charges against him including murder and conspiracy to murder.

Acting Judge Samson Dunywa noted Leach’s mental health struggles and drug addiction but emphasised the seriousness of femicide and gender-based violence in this country.

Despite this, the court considered his early guilty plea and remorse in reducing his sentence from the prescribed life imprisonment and ruled that his sentenced would run concurrently.

He will serve 23 for murder and 10 for conspiracy, but eight of those 10 will be served concurrently with the murder making it that effective 25.

All lesser charges will be served concurrently.

VIDEO| The court heard closing arguments in Vicki Terblanche’s murder case earlier this week: