CONVICTED murderer and rapist Nyiko Ubisi's hopes of getting a lenient sentence were crushed when a social worker recommended to the court that he be sent to prison.

"The option of a fine, a suspended sentence or correctional supervision are not suitable because of the seriousness of the offences," Sonto Noge told the court.

"Though the accused is a first time offender and has pleaded not guilty, sending him to jail will send a strong message that serious offences are punishable by law. He will benefit from programmes that are available in prison."

Noge, who is based at the Germiston office of the Gauteng social development department, was asked to do a pre-sentencing report on Ubisi after the latter was convicted in July this year.

Ubisi was initially charged with three counts of murder, three of attempted murder, one of rape, eight of unlawful possession of a firearm and one of unlawful possession of ammunition. The court found him guilty on two counts of murder, rape and three counts that include possession of an unlawful firearm and ammunition.

In 2008, Ubisi went to the flat of Nomonde Selaledi in Hospital View, Tembisa, and insisted that she drop a rape case she had laid against him.

Selaledi had earlier thrown a party for a friend who later slept there with her daughter, who was eight years old at the time. The girl testified that the three of them were asleep when Ubisi came to the flat.

The girl said Selaledi had and argument with Ubisi, which lasted about 30 minutes, about a rape charge she had earlier laid against Ubisi.

The girl said Ubisi wanted Selaledi to drop the case and when she refused, he shot her five times.

"He then proceeded to the bedroom where my mom was sleeping and shot her once in the head."

Sentencing will be passed on Friday. - alfredm@sowetan.co.za