The rapist cannot be identified in order to safeguard the identity of the little girl, who may suffer further damage.
In his plea explanation, the man stated that on July 6, 2023, he and his partner were drinking wine and beer at their home on Allendale Trust Farm in Citrusdale.
They lived with his partner’s two children in a two-bedroom farm house. The court heard after his spouse went to sleep, he walked into the bedroom and ripped off the girl’s pants, removed her underwear, and r@ped her. Her sibling woke up and the stepfather exited the room.
State Prosecutor Mark George Taylor read the victim impact statement, which revealed that the youngster was extremely vulnerable, which her stepfather took advantage of.
The court heard that she has suffered substantial psychological trauma, has developed aggressive behavior, particularly toward boys, and may develop many mood illnesses and relational/s3xual problems as a result of the offense. She could also acquire s!icidal ideation.
The court sentenced the stepfather to life in prison, ruled him unfit to own a handgun, and issued a search and seizure order for competency certificates, licenses, authorisations, and permits, firearms, and ammunition.
The court directed the assistant registrar to notify the Registrar of the Central Firearms Control Register of the order.
It was also ordered that his name be added to the National Child Protection Register and that he be declared inappropriate for working with children.
In terms of criminal law (s3xual offences and related matters), his name will be added to the National Register of S3x Offenders. Advocate Nicolette Bell, the Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, welcomed the sentencing.
Bell stated that the convicted r@pist, whom the victim viewed as a father figure, was trusted, yet his betrayal was devastating.
According to Bell, all acts of s3xual vi0lence violate the victims’ constitutionally guaranteed rights to dignity and privacy.
