Delight over decision for Bob Hewitt to remain in prison
In September, the former tennis star applied for parole, after serving just two years of his six-year jail term. However, he changed his application to instead have the remainder of his prison sentence converted to house arrest.
Women & Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) are delighted at the fact that Bob Hewitt’s request to convert the remainder of his sentence to house arrest, after a mere two years in jail, has been denied.
Hewitt (78), was sentenced to six years in prison for the rape of two young women and sexually assaulting another who he coached in the 1980s and 1990s. Some of these coaching lessons took place in Boksburg.
WMACA recently held a press conference to campaign against such a sentence conversion being granted.
According to Miranda Jordan, founding director WMACA, they belief that such a sentence conversion would have been unacceptable, given that the sexual abuse of his victims has had a terrible impact on their lives which still remains to this day.
“His sentence needs to be as harsh as possible. Showing any form of leniency would remove the deterrent factor and send a message to other possible perpetrators that such crimes may be worthwhile attempting.”
Jordan said serving only two years for the rape of children before going back home would hardly be fitting punishment.
“We hope that Hewitt will remain behind bars for the full duration of his sentence, and that his victims may now enjoy the peace of mind that justice has been upheld.”
“We are satisfied that everyone involved’s input has assisted in creating a public outcry that surely has impacted positively in this regard, and also strengthened the united message that we will no longer tolerate child abuse in any form.”
She said it was disheartening to face the prospect that Hewitt could be sent home so soon, given the efforts put in to getting him behind bars.
“It’s a relief to know that the sentence conversion board has upheld the victim’s right to justice.”
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