Port Elizabeth - A Cradock man convicted on charges relating to the rape and statutory rape of a teenage girl was sentenced to an effective 20 year behind bars in the Cradock Regional Court on Friday.
Riaan Venabels. 55, was arrested in Bloemfontein during 2014.
At the time police alleged Venabels raped and kidnapped a 13-year old girl. He was reportedly found in the company of the teenage girl.
He was convicted during December last year and was found not guilty on a charge of abduction.
On Friday Venabels was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for the rape charge and two years each for the two statutory rape convictions. The sentences are to concurrently.
Venabels is being represented by defence attorney James Riley who took over the case after he was convicted.
Leave to appeal both the conviction and sentence was granted.
African News Agency