More prison time for men after escape

FOUR criminals, who made a daring daylight escape from a police van last week, have all been sentenced to three more years in prison.

Police said yesterday that all four convicted men had been sentenced to a further three years of direct imprisonment, of which six months was suspended for four years.

Marco Tiervlei, who was convicted of armed robbery, and Ettiene Andrews, who was convicted of domestic violence and robbery, were both sentenced in the Gelvandale Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for escaping.

Justin Bramwell, who is convicted of armed robbery and illegal possession of a firearm, as well as William Kleinbooi, who was convicted of drug possession, were sentenced in the same court yesterday.

The group managed to break through the rusted roof of a police truck before fleeing in the Gelvandale area while being transported to the St Albans Prison on December 27.

Police spokeswoman Colonel Priscilla Naidu said three of the men were rearrested in the northern areas, while one was caught in Central.

The escape led to a huge manhunt, but within 11 hours of the escape, a task team had managed to hunt down and arrest all the men.

Acting Mount Road Cluster commander Brigadier Neil Jantjies welcomed the sentences and police dedication.