Axe murderer Henri van Breda has been sentenced to three life sentences for the murder of three of his family members, 15 years for the attempted murder of his sister, and one year for obstructing the course of justice.

The sentences will run concurrently, says News24.

Van Breda, who has maintained his innocence, indicated he would appeal his conviction and sentences, and 27 June has been set down for the hearing. Western Cape High Court Judge Siraj Desai said Van Breda's attack on his parents and siblings displayed a 'high level of innate cruelty and an almost unprecedented disregard for the welfare of one's own family'. 'Each murderous attack upon a family member constitutes a very serious crime, warranting the severest penalty possible. Viewing all these acts cumulatively, it must rank extremely high on the ladder of serious crime.'

The violence had been excessive and gratuitous, the judge said.

He also said no argument had been advanced to mitigate the impact of the crime. 'We have no explanation from you. No substantial and compelling circumstances have been placed before us. There appeared to be none,' Desai said. Van Breda was last month found guilty of murdering his parents and brother, attempting to kill his sister and obstructing the course of justice.

Desai had listened to arguments from the state and defence in mitigation and aggravation on Tuesday during sentencing proceedings. He said he considered the crimes to have been premeditated, as Van Breda would have had to arm himself before bludgeoning Rudi, Martin and Teresa to death and trying to murder Marli. Van Breda showed no remorse, prosecutor Susan Galloway had insisted, and Marli had survived because of a miracle, not because of mercy shown by her brother.

Full News24 report

The judge said Van Breda had a bright future when he attacked his family at their home in Stellenbosch in January 2015. 'Your future was not bleak; in fact it was bright. You had a supportive family, and they had the means to assist you in your future endeavours,' he said, according to a TimesLIVE report.

'You have not told the court what precipitated these events that night. We know from an independent witness that there was an argument, a loud one, which persisted in your house for several hours.' 'At best for you, we can assume that the crimes were not committed in a vacuum but were the product of some disgruntlement in the family.' 'I say this with some regret: Although you are relatively young and with no previous convictions, your conduct warrants the severest possible penalties. Society expects no less.'

On Tuesday, Desai asked Botha to present any information he had which would allow the judge to show the murderer some mercy. The advocate said Van Breda's youth and the fact that he was a first-time offender were the only factors he could suggest, conceding that neither was weighty enough to argue for a lighter sentence than the mandatory minimum of life.

Full TimesLIVE report