Hewitt found guilty of rape

Bob Hewitt and his wife Delaille Hewitt at the Palm Ridge High Court. Tennis star Bob Hewitt is charged with rape and sexual assault of Theresa "Twiggy" Tolken who was a teenager when the offence allegedly occurred. 090215. Picture: Chris Collingridge 651

Bob Hewitt and his wife Delaille Hewitt at the Palm Ridge High Court. Tennis star Bob Hewitt is charged with rape and sexual assault of Theresa "Twiggy" Tolken who was a teenager when the offence allegedly occurred. 090215. Picture: Chris Collingridge 651

Published Mar 23, 2015

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Johannesburg - Former Grand Slam tennis champion Bob Hewitt was on Monday found guilty of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault by the High Court sitting in Palm Ridge.

The Australian-born Hewitt, 75, was on trial for the alleged rape of two of his former students, Theresa “Twiggy” Tolken and Suellen Sheehan in the 1980s, and the sexual assault of a third woman, who may not be named, in the 1990s.

He gave tennis lessons to the girls. He had pleaded not guilty.

“The State's evidence against the accused is overwhelming,” Judge Bert Bam said on Monday.

“The three complainants have basic rights. Time did not erase the crimes. A guilty person should not go unpunished. The scales of justice tip against the accused,” he said.

Sapa

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