Collan Rex, former water polo coach at Parktown Boys High School has been sentenced to 23 years direct imprisonment.
Rex was found guilty of 144 charges of sexual assault and 12 common assault charges.
Rex also faced charges of attempted murder, rape, sexual grooming and exposing minors to pornography.
During his trial, he admitted to acts of grabbing and squeezing boys’ genitals as well as rubbing his penis against several boys while they were fully clothed.
20 years for the counts of sexual assault and six years for assault, three of which run concurrently.
The judge did not hold back and said, ” ‘I have never come across a case where a person has been convicted on 144 sexual assault charges in such a short space of time… you are a serial sex offender and a bully.”
MEC Lesufi Welcomes Court judgment, said, “We wish to thank the entire school population including learners, educators, parents and all officials for an excellent job of providing a watertight case in ensuring that justice prevailed. We also extend our gratitude to the law enforcement agencies, including the police and the prosecution team for their tireless efforts of securing an appropriate Judgement.”
Update: Judge is now passing down his sentence.
Judge: 'I am at a loss to find your motive… mere acknowledgement of guilt is not enough.' Adding that there was no apology given to victims or the school #CollanRex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018
Judge says: 'You were like a runaway train that could not have been brought to a stop. If not caught out, how long would this have carried on for?' #CollanRex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018
Judge says: 'You must have realised that the abuse you suffered was abnormal and unacceptable… You can not have known that what you were doing was wrong.' #parktownboys #CollanRex @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018
Judge says: 'I have never come across a case where a person has been convicted on 144 sexual assault charges in such a short space of time… you are a serial sex offender and a bully.' #CollanRex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018
Judge says #collanrex's actions had a devastating effect on victims #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018
Prosecutor recommends a lengthy direct imprisonment of 25 years #CollanRex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018
Prosecutor describes #CollanRex's behaviour as premeditated, merciless and inhumane #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018
The #CollanRex case is expected to get underway again today at the Palm Ridge Magistrates' Court with the defense giving their closing statements #parktownboys @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/nI3DjKcF51
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/SarahKingon/status/1068038613076721664
https://twitter.com/SarahKingon/status/1068039646968496133
Defense lawyer claims that the victims were only impacted with psychological problems after classmates and teachers teased them and not as a result of #CollanRex's actions #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018
Defense lawyer asks for correctional supervision as a sentence #parktownboys #CollanRex @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018
Prosecutor says defense focused on circumstances of the accused and did not consider the impact on complainants or the effect on society #CollanRex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018
Prosecutor reads out the aggravating factors including a previous conviction of possession of dagga in 2015 and the impact on victims including a number of attempted suicides #CollanRex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018
Yesterday, 28 November:
It is yet another hot and packed courtroom today at Palm Ridge Court for the sentencing of Collan Rex.
The former assistant water polo coach at Parktown Boys High School will wait another day to find out his sentence, the case will continue on 28 November.
Boarding house mother and an expert state witness testified today. Some shocking revelations were testified to in court by the day mother, see below. Rosebank Killarney Gazette journalist Sarah Koning has been updating our readers from the court.
Boarding house mother testifies about the consequences on boys at #ParktownBoys who were abused by #CollanRex saying that many didn't want to live any more @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 28, 2018
State prosecutor Arveena Persad reads reports from probation officers outlining the impact of abuse on learners #collanrex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 28, 2018
State prosecutor reads statement from a mother who tells how her son told her, "You never sent me to school. You sent me to hell." #parktownboys #CollanRex @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 28, 2018
So far, Luke Lamprecht, an expert state witness has taken to the stand to testify.
Lamprecht believes that since #collanrex did not act in the same way [sexually abusing others] outside the school parameters after leaving the school, he therefore did not believe that sexual abuse was normal or acceptable behaviour #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 28, 2018
Lamprecht shares the contents of his report regarding the impact of abuse on victims and accused. #CollanRex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 28, 2018
Lamprecht says that though he did not consult with #CollanRex, he believes that he denied responsibility saying that sexual abuse was the 'Parktown way' #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 28, 2018
Update, 2.26pm:
#CollanReX case has been postponed to tomorrow at 9.30am for final pieces of evidence. The judge would like to make his decision by 2pm @RK_Gazette
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
Earlier, 10am:
The sentencing in the trial against former Parktown Boys assistant water polo coach, Collan Rex is currently underway at the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court today (27 November).
The Rosebank Killarney Gazette‘s Ashtyn Mackenzie and Sarah Koning are tweeting from court:
Defense attorney wishes to cross examine the presentencing report and as such has asked that state prosecutor starts but he has now asked that he starts… #parktownboys #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
#collanrex said in his statement: Boys genitals were grabbed and asked 'Are you a man or a mouse?' .. to this victims have shaked their heads.. it is not clear whether it was in agreement or disagreement @RK_Gazette #parktownboys
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
#collarex was described as 'Caring , compassionate and sociable' as well as 'selfless' by his family @RK_Gazette #parktownboys
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
#collanrex says in the probation officer's report that he was sexually assaulted by pupils when he was at school as a learner #parktownboys #16DaysofActivism @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 27, 2018
The probation officer's report says that #collanrex was exposed to a culture that normalised inappropriate sexual behaviour #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 27, 2018
Social worker #parktownboys #collanrex said the court should consider his age and that he is capable of rehabilitation … but that the court should remember the seriousness of the charges and that the victims were minors @RK_Gazette
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
#CollanReX indicated in his statement to the social worker: that in Grade 8 at #parktownboys he was exposed to physical and verbal abuse as a form of initiation. @RK_Gazette He stated that it was accepted that other boys would touch each other's genitals
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
Social worker goes through witness testimonies to #CollanReX family history which seems to have involved some verbal abuse by his step father but was well loved by his grandparents @RK_Gazette #parktownboys
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
The social worker explains the delays in putting together the reports which delayed proceedings #collanrex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 27, 2018
Defense argues that the changes the social worker made to the first report , where she suggested correctional supervision, is not material enough to justify her final suggestion that #CollanRex face direct imprisonment #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
Defense lawyer asks social worker why she failed to interview the victims before making her recommendations #collanrex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 27, 2018
#collanrex girlfriend is called to the witness stand to testify that apparently the social worker said she was worried about her career and under immense pressure to change her sentence reccomendation to direct imprisonment #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
#collanrex current girlfriend takes to the stand #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 27, 2018
#collanrex's girlfriend of 3 months takes to the stand. She said she was aware of Rex's case and that he is accused of sexual assault and attempted murder. She said Rex did not tell her whether it was true or not #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 27, 2018
Collan Rex's girlfriend says that Rex's past has nothing to do with her despite the fact that she has a 5-year-old child #collanrex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 27, 2018
Girlfriend does not believe despite being a mother, that there is any importance in knowing the finer details of the case such as how many victims are involved @RK_Gazette #collanrex
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
Probation officer has been called to the stand #collanrex @RK_Gazette who was appointed to assist with a victim impact report
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
A victim's marks dropped following the incident involving #collanrex and he is unsure if he will be able to pass matric this year and enter into tertiary education #parktownboys @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 27, 2018
One of the victims stated that he was suicidal and experimented with drugs following assault by #collanrex #parktownboys
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 27, 2018
State calls their final witness before lunch, who is an employee as the Director of Boarding and a teacher at #parktownboys #collanrex
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
Director of boarding at #parktownboys said boys were terrified of #collanrex who would come into their dorms and choke them and grab them by the testicles. Two of the boys expressed their desire to commit suicide @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 27, 2018
State reaffirms that they are in position of the cctv video of an incident with a victim or victims, it will be viewed on a laptop @RK_Gazette #parktownboys #CollanRex
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
He added at the boys were so afraid they hid under their beds, where he allegedly pulled them out, wrestled them and pulled at their genitals… '"Grade 11 boys crying at night" #parktownboys @RK_Gazette #CollanRex
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
Defense lawyer objects to the showing of the video of #collanrex assaulting a victim #parktownboys @RK_Gazette and Judge denies the viewing of the footage
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 27, 2018
Witness reads out the poem which if one reads each letter at the beginning of each sentence, reads "Parktown Heroes" #collanrex @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/4abqa75IyZ
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
Director of boarding at #ParktownBoys tells how boarders were affected following assault from #collanrex @RK_Gazette
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 27, 2018
Witness from #parktownboys said in 2016 said they did not have meetings with the head master about conduct towards pupils because he assumed the head master would know that they are professional teachers and would know @RK_Gazette #CollanRex
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
Jude denied viewing of the video after defense objected to it #CollanRex @RK_Gazette
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
Witness said, although, no one knew the names of the victims at #parktownboys other pupils knew what was going on in the hostels @RK_Gazette #CollanRex
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
From the multiple victim statements, it is clear that academics and sporting results were negatively impacted… @RK_Gazette as well as severe depression #CollanRex #parktownboys
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
#CollanReX case has been postponed to tomorrow at 9.30am for final pieces of evidence. The judge would like to make his decision by 2pm @RK_Gazette
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
Earlier, 9am:
The Rosebank Killarney Gazette‘s Ashtyn Mackenzie and Sarah Koning were outside the court before proceedings begin.
At the Palm Ridge Magistrates' Court for the sentencing of #collanrex #ParktownBoys @RK_Gazette family members have started arriving in the courtroom pic.twitter.com/T6se0GCTPA
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 27, 2018
#parktownboys #collanrex follow @AshtynMackenzie @RK_Gazette for live updates from inside the Palm Ridge court where, former assistant water polo coach, Collan Rex, is expected to have his sentence handed down following numerous charges of sexual assault pic.twitter.com/r7rtv7u5mB
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
Adv Arveena Persad has arrived in court and it's extremely full again… court awaits the arrival of #collanrex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/QmOOFWrAlJ
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
This is who they spotted:
Bikers Against Bullies share a message outside the court:
#BikersAgainstBulliesSA arrives at Palm Ridge court to support victims and their families @RK_Gazette #collanrex #parktownboys pic.twitter.com/KsHrmOFLwM
— Ashtyn Mackenzie (@AshtynMackenzie) November 27, 2018
@BikersSouth show support to the victims in the #collanrex case in Palm Ridge Court #parktownboys @RK_Gazette #16DaysofActivism pic.twitter.com/5J9srpXWxC
— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 27, 2018
Steve van Eeden of the HWA Honour Wrestling Association shares why they are attending the case:
Rex was found guilty of 144 charges of sexual assault and 12 common assault charges.
Rex also faced charges of attempted murder, rape, sexual grooming and exposing minors to pornography.
During his trial, he admitted to acts of grabbing and squeezing boys’ genitals as well as rubbing his penis against several boys while they were fully clothed.
The courtroom is expected to be packed tomorrow as parents, schoolboys and the media wait to hear the fate of Rex.
Follow @RK_Gazette for live updates from inside the courtroom.
Share your thoughts ahead of the sentencing on the Rosebank Killarney Gazette Facebook page.
Related articles:
#CollanRex: Parktown Boys’ former assistant water polo coach sentencing postponed
UPDATE: Sentencing of Parktown Boys’ former assistant water polo coach delayed again
Child accuses former Parktown Boys High assistant coach of anally penetrating him on bus
Parktown Boys’ headmaster and SGB share their thoughts on the current court proceedings
