Life in prison for Nicholas Ninow
The high court in Pretoria sentenced convicted rapist Nicolas Ninow to life imprisonment on Thursday.
Ninow was sentenced to 25 years for rape, five years for possession of drugs and 5 years for defeating the ends of justice.
The sentences for rape and possession of drugs will run concurrently, meaning Ninow will effectively serve life and five years.
Ninow was sentenced after he was earlier convicted of raping a 7-year-old girl in the bathroom of a Dros restaurant in Silverton last year.
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Testifying in aggravation of sentence, the police’s special forensic social worker Karin Botha revealed that the victim wet her bed the night before she was due to testify.
The victim assessment report also detailed the emotional and psychological trauma that the victim continues to bear as a result of the rape.
In handing down his ruling Judge Mokhine Mosopa said rape is the most degrading act as it strips away dignity.
He said gender-based violence is an epidemic and people have put trust in the judiciary to help rectify the situation.
"What was a happy family outing became a nightmare for the family on the day of the rape. The complainant is now scared of visiting restaurants and is scared of being in the company of men.
"The day hardly without reading in the newspapers about women and children being raped and killed. The annual statistics showed that the GBV is on the rise. In the light of the pendamic the society is putting its hope in the judical system.
"The viciousness in which this offence was committed rules out the fact he was immature."