Port Elizabeth - A 39-year-old man has been sentenced to an effective 18 years behind bars for the rape of a 12-year-old boy.
The man, who cannot be named, conducted most of his own defence during the trial and was sentenced in the Engcobo Regional Court on Wednesday.
NPA Regional Spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said that during July 2012 the man invited the boy to his house at Nxamagele Village in Ngcobo. When the boy arrived the man proceeded to lock the doors and then raped the boy.
Tyali said the child managed to escape through a window and reported the incident to a relative.
“DNA evidence linking him to the crime was presented by Prosecutor Loyiso Methuso, and after the testimony of the [child], who is now 15 years old, the rapist consulted with a Legal Aid South Africa attorney and changed his plea to that of guilty and was subsequently convicted,” said Tyali.
Tyali said the court took into consideration the child had been severely affected by the incident which manifested in the outbursts of anger he displayed while giving evidence in the presence of the man.
“The court found that substantial and compelling circumstances existed that justified a departure from the prescribed life imprisonment,” said Tyali.
African News Agency