A grandfather (58) from De Doorns has been sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment, with five years suspended, after he pleaded guilty to the rape of his 14-year-old granddaughter.

The incident happened on 28 December 2021 at Orchard, De Doorns.

According to the plea and sentence agreement, the child rapist admitted that he encountered his granddaughter on the day of the incident. He further admits that he called the complainant to the closed crèche building at Orchard. He then raped her after he told her to undress and lay down on the mattress.

The complainant reacted in a shocked manner. The grandfather admits that he was physically just too strong and he completed the deed despite her protestations. According to him, a security official patrolling the crèche area came upon him while they were still undressed and confronted him about his actions.

He admitted the complainant was taken for questioning and she confirmed what happened, leading to his arrest. The rapist further admitted that at all relevant times he acted unlawfully and intentionally.

With regard to the aggravating factors, the court heard that rape is a serious offence that features daily before courts in said jurisdiction. The complainant was a vulnerable minor girl and her grandfather’s actions broke the whole family dynamic.

The complainant was furthermore left traumatised after the incident and received counselling from a social worker attached to the Thuthuzela Care Centre.

With regard to the mitigating factors, the court heard that the grandfather pleaded guilty and has shown remorse by doing so.

The court ordered that his particulars be included in the National Register for Sex Offenders.