“He wrestled with the woman in an attempt to force himself on her …. but his attempts failed.”
A NORTHERN Cape man was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment after he was convicted in the Upington High Court on charges of housebreaking, theft and attempted rape.
Police spokesperson Captain Olebogeng Tawana said the incident took place in August 2019 when the accused, Nikolaas Essau, 46, broke into the home of a 47-year-old woman in Rosedale, Upington.
“During the trial it emerged that the accused proceeded straight to the bedroom where he found the victim sleeping during the early hours of the morning between midnight and 1am. He told her that he came to ask for a cigarette. She gave him a cigarette and locked the door of the house after escorting him outside,” said Tawana.
He added that, after the woman had gone back to bed, Essau returned and wrestled with the woman in an attempt to force himself on her. “He grabbed her cellphone and fled the scene when he realised that his attempts to force himself on her had failed.
“He was arrested immediately after the woman reported the matter to the police. The investigating officer successfully opposed bail and the accused was kept in police custody until the completion of the trial.”
Tawana said Essau was sentenced to three years for housebreaking, three years for theft and 12 years’ imprisonment for attempted rape. “The sentences will run concurrently. The court also declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm.”
