Former tennis champion Bob Hewitt sentencing which was slated to happen in a Pretoria court on Friday after he was found guilty of rape and indecent assault in the High Court sitting in Palm Ridge, in March has been pushed back.
At Hewitt’s conviction, Judge Bert Bam ruled the three victims’ testimonies had a striking resemblance, and the State was able to prove penetration occurred based on their testimonies.
“”The State’s evidence against the accused is overwhelming,” he said.
“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.”
At Hewitt’s conviction, Judge Bert Bam ruled the three victims’ testimonies had a striking resemblance, and the State was able to prove penetration occurred based on their testimonies.
“”The State’s evidence against the accused is overwhelming,” he said.
“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.”
Hewitt pleaded not guilty after three women accused him of raping and sexually assaulting them in the 1980s and 1990s.
One of the victims, Theresa Tolken, told the court Hewitt forced her to perform oral sex on him when she was 12-years old. She testified the former Grand Slam champion ordered her to undress herself and lie on top of him in the bath, where he then attempted to penetrate her.
Another victim, Suellen Sheehan, testified Hewitt raped her in his car before a tennis practice.
The third woman, who cannot be named, said Hewitt rubbed up against her during one of their coaching sessions in the 1990s.
One of the victims, Theresa Tolken, told the court Hewitt forced her to perform oral sex on him when she was 12-years old. She testified the former Grand Slam champion ordered her to undress herself and lie on top of him in the bath, where he then attempted to penetrate her.
Another victim, Suellen Sheehan, testified Hewitt raped her in his car before a tennis practice.
The third woman, who cannot be named, said Hewitt rubbed up against her during one of their coaching sessions in the 1990s.
By: Farai Diza
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