Well known local tree-feller Deon Robberts is out on R5 000 bail after he appealed his 45-year conviction for the rape of a minor.
Mr Robberts was convicted in the Dundee Regional Court on three charges of sexual assault and two charges of rape.
He is to serve a sentence to run concurrently, of five years on each charge of sexual assault and 15 years for the rape charges.
Mr Robberts was accused of molesting and raping a minor in July 2010.
The victim was living at a children’s home, and was sent to Dundee to visit her biological mother on a farm over weekends and holidays.
Between January 1, 2010 and June 9, 2010, her mother’s boyfriend, the accused, Mr Robberts, would force himself onto her and touch her in indecent ways. This happened over a period of time, and when she reported the matter to her mother nothing was done about it.
She then reported the matter to an assistant at the children’s home where she lived. It was then reported to police, and through the dedication and hard work of Warrant Officer BPP Khambule of the Dundee SAPS FCS Unit, and a very co-operative victim and witnesses, a sentence was secured.
“We commend her on her diligence in seeing this matter through.
“Too many young girls are being taken advantage of by older males, and are too afraid to step forward and report the matters, and see them through until the end. We hope that this sentence will serve as an encouragement to such girls to seek help and justice,” said Captain Fuller, FCS Unit Commander.
