Hewitt's accuser details alleged abuse

Bob Hewitt appeard at Boksburg Magistrate's Court. Photo: Nokuthula Mbatha

Bob Hewitt appeard at Boksburg Magistrate's Court. Photo: Nokuthula Mbatha

Published Feb 9, 2015

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Johannesburg - One of tennis grand slam champion Bob Hewitt's alleged victims on Monday told the High Court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court how he allegedly abused her on a tennis training trip to Sun City.

The woman told the court Hewitt was her tennis coach from the age of 12 to 13, when she lived in Bedfordview, Johannesburg.

She said that after tennis lessons, Hewitt would French kiss her, telling her he loved her.

“He would lie me down on grass and lie next to me... He would touch my breasts and make me touch him. I didn't understand the terminology, but his penis was hard,” she testified.

“I didn't know what was happening, I was 12 years old.”

Later, towards the end of 1980, Hewitt took her to Sun City for a tennis training event.

The girl's parents and Hewitt's wife, were to drive up and meet them there a few days later.

“... In the car on way there, he pulled over on the side of the road.... he told me he would like me to kiss his penis. He took his penis out and pushed my head down.”

She testified that he instructed her how to perform oral sex.

“I was extremely scared. I had a respect for adults and I did what I was told.”

At Sun City, he called her into his room one day, she said.

“I went into Hewitt's room and he began to run a bath.”

She said he stripped naked and instructed her to do the same, then climbed into the bath and told her to lie on top of him.

“I was shy and uncomfortable and scared.”

Hewitt then allegedly told her to lie on his bed.

“He lay next to me on the bed. He began kissing me.”

In a strong, even voice she testified that Hewitt placed his fingers into her vagina, which she found painful, then applied a lubricant to his penis and penetrated her.

“He used the word intercourse. He said he wanted to have intercourse with me.

“... He lay on top of me, pushed his penis into me. I told him it was hurting so he removed it. He rolled over... He said 'I will try again later'.”

Hewitt, now in his 70s, sat quietly in the dock, supported by his wife.

He faces two counts of rape and one of sexual assault.

Sapa

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