Burnley businessman killing probe: sixth person to be charged

Christavao Fresco Mbina, 19, who is already facing charges relating to the murder of a primary school principal, Rinda Abraham, will be added to the five accused already facing charges in the murder case of Mr Picton-Turbervill.

Both Mr Picton-Turbervill and Abraham were murdered in their homes, in front of their families in January this year. Both lived in Waterkloof Ridge township in South Africa.

Husband and wife Lucky Ntuli, 37 and Synthia Ntuli, 35, along with Petro Morkel, 27, Rafel Thembe, 18 and Thokozane Nhlapo, 23, appeared briefly in the Pretoria Regional Court on Monday April 7, but solicitors for two of the accused failed to turn up.

Mr Picton-Turber-vill was shot in the head during a robbery at his home in Waterkloof Ridge township in South Africa in January and later died in hospital.

His killers made off with a laptop, jewellery, mobile phones and about R1000, about £74, in cash.

Lucky and Synthia Ntuli are charged with alleged possession of suspected stolen goods from his house and may face additional charges relating to the murder.

Morkel, Thembe and Nhlapo are facing charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, housebreak-ing with intent to rob, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

They allegedly broke into Mr Picton-Turbervill's home in Waterkloof Ridge on January 5 and forced him, his wife and their four children to lie down as they robbed their house.

Dad-of-five Mr Picton-Turbervill, had emigrated to South Africa three years ago with his wife Ursula, 41, and four of his children after running his own successful furniture design business - D'Uberville - in Burnley.

Mr Picton-Turbervill had captained Burnley Rugby Club first team, then known as Caldervale, from 1984 to 1986, and played as a centre for the team until 1992.

He also lived in Colne and Barrowford and worked in the Ribble Valley.

The case was postponed to May 6 by when Mbina's name would be added to the charge sheet.