A 19-year old man from McBright in Queenstown pleaded guilty to raping his five-year-old sister in February, July and August last year.
In a statement read before the court on Wednesday, the accused admitted to his crimes, saying; “I admit I knew what I was doing and that it was wrong, I regret my actions and I feel sorry for what I did.”
A 19-year old man from McBright in Queenstown pleaded guilty to raping his five-year-old sister in February, July and August last year.
In a statement read before the court on Wednesday, the accused admitted to his crimes, saying; “I admit I knew what I was doing and that it was wrong, I regret my actions and I feel sorry for what I did.”
The complainant was brought briefly into court so that the judge could see her small stature. She ignored her brother while in the courtroom.
The perpetrator and complainant live with their mother and grandmother. Although the perpetrator raped his sister on two previous occasions, she only reported it to her mother after her brother raped her repeatedly over a two-week period in which their mother was away.
For the repeated rape of a minor the Director of Public Prosecutions had requested that the perpetrator receive the minimum sentence of life imprisonment.
However, due to the perpetrator’s age, his lack of prior convictions and his poor living conditions he may receive a reduced sentence.
Sentencing has been postponed until 19 July to allow a social worker to assess the perpetrator’s home environment.
He will remain in custody in Grahamstown until then. The complainant’s medical and psychological condition will also be taken into account.
