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The Sentance: Penguin killer to clean out pools at aquarium

By Tanya Jonker-Bryce

EAST LONDON -- Penguin killer Francina Minnie, 16, was sentenced to two years' correctional supervision yesterday, and 384 hours of community service, to be spent cleaning pools at the East London Aquarium.

Minnie pleaded guilty last month to malicious damage to property after admitting to taking part in the slaughter of nine penguins, two gannets and two pelicans at the aquarium in May this year.

She will remain under house arrest for the duration of her two-year sentence. In terms of this part of the sentence, she will be prohibited from leaving her West Bank home between 6pm and 6am daily, including weekends.

In addition, Minnie was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, wholly suspended for two years, on condition that she is not convicted again of malicious damage to property.

Aquarium curator Willie Maritz yesterday welcomed the sentence, saying he felt it was apt and appropriate.

Minnie will do her community service at the rate of 16 hours a month for a period of two years, he said.

''I am happy there was also a suspended jail sentence to act as a deterrent. The fact that she will be actively involved in the aquarium is appropriate, and hopefully it will give her food for thought, and possibly even some direction in life,'' Maritz said.

The loss suffered by the aquarium during the attack amounted to about R40 000.

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