A judge has sentenced a 19-year-old white South African to four life terms in prison for killing four black people in a shooting spree in January.



The four dead persons are said to have included a 3-month-old baby and a 10-year-old boy.



Witnesses reportedly told the court that Johan Nel made racist remarks while shooting the four.



Nel, who was 18 at the time of the shooting, reportedly told a psychologist that he believed white people were under attack after his family and friends became the victims of several violent crimes.



Meanwhile, Police spokesman Lesego Metsi says the judge Ronald Hendricks and the prosecuting lawyer are now under police protection after receiving death threats.