Paedophile sentenced to 120 years behind bars

A 57-YEAR-old Northern Cape man who was found guilty of child pornography and sexually abusing children was sentenced to 120 years direct imprisonment by the De Aar Regional Court on February 20.

Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the man was found in possession of 734 images and 172 videos of child pornography.

He was arrested by members of the De Aar SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit after they interviewed a 12-year-old boy who was living with the accused in Philipstown in 2021.

“The boy alleged that the accused had sexually abused him and that there were other children who had also been sexually assaulted by the accused,” said Shemane.

He added that more complainants also reported that they had been sexually abused.

“Evidence of child pornography was found at the accused’s house. The accused was arrested and bail was opposed and denied.”

Shemane stated that the accused was sentenced as follows:

Count 1: Indecent assault, 5 years imprisonment.

Count 2: Rape, 10 years imprisonment.

Count 3: Compelled rape,10 years imprisonment.

Count 4: Sexual grooming, 5 years imprisonment.

Count 5: Enticement to commit a sexual offence, 10 years imprisonment.

Count 6: Sexual assault, 5 years imprisonment.

Count 7: Flashing private parts, 5 years imprisonment.

Count 8: Sexual assault, 5 years imprisonment.

Count 9: Instructing another to commit a sexual offence, 5 years imprisonment.

Count 10: Sexual assault, 5 years imprisonment.

Count 11: Compelled rape, 10 years imprisonment.

Count 12: Compelled sexual assault, 5 years imprisonment.

Count 13: Rape,10 years imprisonment.

Count 14: Causing children to witness sexual acts, 5 years imprisonment.

Count 15: Sexual assault, 5 years imprisonment.

Count 16: Compelled rape, 10 years imprisonment.

Count 17: Sexual assault, 5 years imprisonment.

Count 18: Possession of child pornography (734 images and 172 videos), 5 years imprisonment.

“The court also declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm and his name is to be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders.”

The provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, applauded the investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Valery Booysen from the De Aar FCS unit, for her “hard work and tenacity”.

Otola added that the sentence would deter people from committing similar crimes.