Rodrigues’ violent rampage comes to an end
Magistrate: His attitude was that of being above the law.
On 9 March Johnny Rodriques appeared in the Randfontein Magistrates’ Court to be sentenced after being found guilty on 10 charges. The charges were laid against him over a period of time.
He was sentenced for each charge individually. On the first charge he was given a minimum of eight months in prison, with a 40-month sentence of house arrest.
On the second charge he was given the option of either a fine of R1 000 or eight months in prison. On charges three, five and seven, he was given the option of either a fine of R1 000 or five months in prison.
On charges four, eight and nine he was handed down a prison sentence of 48 months, suspended for five years with the condition that he does not partake in any violent crimes during the time; also that he, within three months after serving his prison sentence, financially repay the damage he caused the complainants.
On charge six, he was given the option of either a fine of R10 000 or four years in prison, suspended for five years, with certain conditions.
On charge 10, he was handed down an eight-months prison sentence, suspended for five years, with the condition that he does not drive a vehicle without a valid driver’s licence during the suspension period.
Rodriques also was declared unfit to carry a firearm.
While serving the 40 months under house arrest, several strict conditions will apply.
One of these conditions strictly forbids him to go to:
• Ou Van’s Pub, Randfontein
• The Legend Pub and Restaurant
• Droogeheuwel
• Cascades Pub Roodepoort
• Any pubs, restaurants or drinking places in Randfontein, Krugersdorp and Roodepoort that sell alcohol
• Any of the complainants’ work or home addresses
• Marga Janse van Rensburg and the Mcnaught families’ work or home addresses
Last year on 4 July Rodriques vandalised a well-known family restaurant, for which he appeared in court on 10 July.
On 16 September Rodriques approached the Herald, saying he wanted to have an article published in which he apologised to specific people and businesses for causing them harm.
He also wanted to apologise to the Randfontein community for his behaviour. The article was published at his request, while he was still under house arrest.
Before handing down Rodriques’ sentence, it was mentioned that the Herald article, among many other issues, were taken into consideration; however, since Rodriques did not adhere to his bail or house arrest conditions and continued as before, his attitude spoke as if he were above the law.
Rodriques also did not finish the programmes for his rehabilitation, therefore the conclusion was that he did not want to or could not be rehabilitated.
Incidents in and around Randfontein linked to Rodriques that never made it to court also were mentioned and the way in which he tried to compensate for the damages done to the complainants.
His girlfriend and mother of his child was in court supporting him.
In the last paragraph of this story about Rodrigues’ sentencing the Herald first reported that Rodrigues had hurled abuse at our journalist after asking him for comment. It transpired to have been a case of mistaken identity. The Herald’s intention was not to add insult to injury to the family and therefore apologises for any inconvenience caused. — Editor
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Also read:
‘Ek is jammer’ – Johnny Rodrigues
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