The case against a pre-school teacher accused of killing her ex-boyfriend’s daughter will have to wait until October to find out her fate.

Amber-Lee Hughes was found guilty of the premeditated murder and rape of her 4-year-old learner and stepdaughter, Nada-Jane Challita.

During court proceedings, 25-year-old Hughes confessed to murdering the little girl.

The court heard how Hughes filled a bath tub and once Nada-Jane was in the bath, Hughes sat on her until she stopped breathing.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said Hughes’s not-guilty claim prompted the State to present evidence to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

“After hearing both sides and the closing arguments, Hughes submitted supplementary admissions, admitting to drowning the child following an emotional dispute with the child’s father over his infidelity. She cited her Borderline Personality Disorder but acknowledged full awareness of her actions, detailing multiple failed suicide attempts afterwards. However, she denied the rape charges, claiming ignorance of how the child sustained vaginal injuries,” said NPA spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane.

She said while the State was unable to prove anal penetration, thanks to a pathologist’s testimony, it was confirmed that Nada-Jane suffered injuries to her vagina, indicating that she had been penetrated with a small object before her death.

Mjonodwane said the court said based on the court’s findings that the witness was credible and that Hughes admitted to being with Nada-Jane at the time of her death, it was found that she was responsible for the injuries, thus leading to her guilty verdict on the rape charge.

The NPA said the case has been postponed for sentencing proceedings, including arguments in mitigation and aggravation.

seanne.rall@iol.co.za

IOL

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