Johannes Jacobus Steyn, dubbed the “Sunday rapist”, said he was told to plead guilty when he took the stand in the High Court, sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court in Alberton on Thursday.
“I was told I was young. Plead guilty and go on,” a calm Steyn told the court.
He was testifying on what police told him prior to an incriminating statement he made to a magistrate in Krugersdorp, the day after he handed himself over in October 2011.
He said he admitted to crimes he did not commit because he had a previous conviction.
“Take the punch... because you won't get out of this... go on with your life... this is the easy way out for you,” he said police told him.
He said he was briefed on what to say by investigating officer Peet du Toit before making the statement to the magistrate.
Steyn is accused of murdering school girls Louise de Waal and Lazanne Farmer.
He is also charged with 11 counts of rape, 10 of sexual assault, 10 of kidnapping, one of attempted sexual assault, one of attempted kidnapping, and two of assault.
The 11 girls Steyn allegedly attacked between 2008 and 2011 were aged between 11 and 18.
The 36-year-old pleaded not guilty to all 37 charges against him on Monday. - Sapa