A woman who beheaded a Scottish grandmother before stuffing her body in a wheelie bin has been jailed for life.

Sandra Malcolm, 74, was hacked to death by Sheree Prince, who had broken into her Cape Town property.

Mrs Malcolm, originally from Monifieth, Angus, had been helping the young woman after she hurt herself – but Prince turned on her, fearing she would call the police.

Sandra Malcolm, 74, was hacked to death by a woman who she had invited in for tea (Picture: handout)

The 22-year-old said Mrs Malcolm gave her tea and toast but when she offered to call an ambulance, Prince became suspicious and stabbed her 24 times.


Prince beheaded the pensioner with a knife and cut off her arms using an axe before throwing her body into a wheelie bin.

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Police arrested Prince in Citrusdal, around 100 miles north of Cape Town, a few days after Mrs Malcolm’s death in April 2015.



She admitted the murder in March and has now been given a life sentence by the Western Cape High Court.

Under South African law, Prince will have to serve 25 years before she can apply for parole.

Sheree Prince, 22, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after beheading Sandra, before cutting off her arms and stuffing her in a wheelie bin (Picture: handout)

Last month it was revealed that the killer had written to the family of Mrs Malcolm, begging for forgiveness.

The letter, which was handed to the court, read: ‘I thank the court for doing my case. During my time in prison I have had time to think of everything.

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‘I wouldn’t know who the family is, but I would like the family to please forgive me and accept my apology as time goes by.’

However, Mrs Malcolm’s daughter Alison Williams, 51, told the court the letter meant nothing and called for Prince to face the harshest punishment possible.

Speaking at a pre-sentencing hearing, she said: ‘We cannot accept her apology. The whole family is asking for the highest amount of incarceration this court can hand down.

Sandra had been living in South Africa for 35 years at the time of her death (Picture: handout)

‘We have not even begun grieving because of this court case.

‘She deserves to stay behind bars where she belongs.’

Mrs Williams added: ‘My mother was a wonderful woman. She used to volunteer at a hospice and it came as no surprise that she helped Sheree because it was in her blood to help others.’

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Prince was linked to the crime scene via fingerprints, mobile phone records and stolen goods found at her father’s house.

Mrs Malcolm’s body was discovered by a family member after she failed to answer the door at her cottage in Lakeside, near Muizenberg, a suburb of the city.

The pensioner, who had lived in South Africa for 35 years, is survived by two daughters, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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