Sentencing Proceeding For Convicted Rapist Australian-Born Bob Hewitt To Take Place In April
It is back to court for Australian-born former grand slam doubles tennis champion Bob Hewitt when the sentencing proceeding for his rape case resumes in April in the High Court of Pretoria, according to a report by ECR Newswatch. However, the exact date of the sentencing proceeding is yet to be announced.
Hewitt, 75, was found guilty of rape and sexual assault on March 23. The accusations stemmed from the incidences that took place in the 1980s and 1990s, during the period when he worked as a tennis coach. Three women stepped up in 2013 and claimed that they were molested during private tennis lessons.
One woman said that Hewitt told her that “rape is enjoyable.” Another one of his victims revealed that Hewitt raped her in his car in 1982. The third victim claimed that Hewitt had touched her on intimate parts and forced her to perform a sexual act on him. These victims were only aged 12 and 13 during that time.
Hewitt was released on bail after his conviction and asked to post R10000 in exchange of his temporary freedom. Hewitt was also asked to surrender his passport.
Judge Bert Bam, who is presiding over the case, is confident that the State has a strong case against Hewitt. Bam described the evidences against the former tennis star as “overwhelming.”
“Time did not erase the crimes,” Judge Bam said. “A guilty person should not go unpunished, the scales of justice tip against the accused.”
Meanwhile, one of the victims, identified as Suellen Sheehan, said that she was overwhelmed when Hewitt was finally convicted. She said that she never really thought that the lewd sexual acts that happened more than two decades ago will be brought before the court. Sheehan added she has also forgiven Hewitt.
“I forgave him a long time ago,” Sheehan said. “We all just need to move on from this and learn something from it.”
Hewitt was born in Sydney. In 1967, he became a South African citizen after marrying a South African. He won seven titles in singles and achieved his career-high singles rank as World No. 6 in 1967. Hewitt is a nine-time grand slam men’s doubles champion and a six-time grand slam mixed doubles champion.
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