Four found guilty of killing UK geologist in Taita Taveta

MOMBASA: The High Court in Mombasa has found four villagers guilty of the murder of British geologist Campbell Rodney Bridges in Taita Taveta County five years ago.

Justice Maureen Odero said Wednesday that the four killed Mr Bridges over a dispute over the rights of gemstones and other precious minerals at Mwasui and Mukuki ranches in Mwatate.

The judge, however, suspended the sentence of the villagers until today when they will know whether they will be sentenced to hang or sent to jail for some period.

Justice Odero suspended the sentence because the accused's lawyer, Kithi Ngombo, was not in court to mitigate for them.

"I am suspending sentence to tomorrow so that the accused's lawyer can come and mitigate for them.

"But if he does not come I will go ahead and give my sentence," said Justice Odero.

The judge said this after lawyer Gikandi Ngibuini pleaded with the court to postponed the sentence until when their lawyer is present.

Three other accused persons in relation to the murder - Daniel Mdachi Mnene Sulieman, Osman Abdi Hussein and Crispus Mkunguzi Mngoka - were acquitted for lack of evidence.

The judge, however, noted that the geologist's killer, who is believed to have stabbed him, is a Mr Salat who is still at large because he has not been arrested by the police.

The judge said Bruce Bridges, the son of the deceased, saw it all.

"The attack was unprovoked. Such action in the minds of the accused persons clearly had no outcome but death," added Odero.

The judge said Bridges was fatally attacked and was satisfied the prosecution had proven their case against the four and their group with a common unlawful intention.