The Victoria West Sexual Offences Court sentenced a 31-year-old man to 10 years direct imprisonment for raping a woman who he has known his entire life.
THE VICTORIA West Sexual Offences Court sentenced a 31-year-old man, Martin Harris, to 10 years direct imprisonment for raping a woman who he has known his entire life.
The regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Northern Cape, Mojalefa Senokoatseane, said Harris raped the woman on his way home from a tavern.
“On April 22, 2022, the 39-year-old victim, who has known the accused her entire life and trusted him, was at a tavern. Later that evening she left the tavern for her home. Along the way, she was accosted by the accused, who began to push her to the ground before assaulting her,” said Senokoatsane.
“The accused proceeded to drag the victim into the neighbour’s yard, where he raped her. When the accused was done, he dragged the victim to a nearby bakkie. The woman managed to lock herself inside the bakkie and screamed for help until the neighbours came out of the house. The accused then ran away.”
Senokoatsane said the State requested the court to impose the maximum sentence.
“Through diligent police investigations, the accused was later traced and charged with rape. During the trial, the prosecution argued for a maximum sentence because the accused did not show any remorse. The State also told the court that the accused had to be brought to court through summons after he was released by the court.
“The accused was sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment and he was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.”
