Teacher gets four years for statutory rape

A picture shows on February 7, 2013 a blackboard at the Alapha Secondary School in Bayswater, a village near Limpopo, South Africa. The school, built by parents in 1985, welcomes in its five classrooms students from poor background. Without library, laboratory or running water, teachers and pupils are even determined to improve the last year results, Principal Jonas Ramapuputla said. AFP PHOTO / MUJAHID SAFODIEN

A picture shows on February 7, 2013 a blackboard at the Alapha Secondary School in Bayswater, a village near Limpopo, South Africa. The school, built by parents in 1985, welcomes in its five classrooms students from poor background. Without library, laboratory or running water, teachers and pupils are even determined to improve the last year results, Principal Jonas Ramapuputla said. AFP PHOTO / MUJAHID SAFODIEN

Published Mar 29, 2014

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Johannesburg - A former teacher from Mahikeng High School in the North West was sentenced to four years in prison for statutory rape, Beeld reported on Saturday.

Geraldine Leonie Sheldon-Lakey, 39, pleaded guilty to having sex with a 15-year-old boy.

The Molopo Magistrate's Court granted Sheldon-Lakey leave to appeal her conviction and sentence. Her bail was extended pending the outcome of the appeal.

The married mother of two was fired from the school in December 2012 when the school’s governing body found her guilty of indecent behaviour.

According to the newspaper, North West premier Thandi Modise praised the boy's mother for finding photos and voice recordings on her son's cellphone which proved Sheldon-Lakey had an improper sexual relationship with the teenager. - Sapa

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