This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-36196090
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Ex-Wimbledon champion Bob Hewitt appeals against rape sentence | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Former Wimbledon tennis champion Bob Hewitt has appealed in a South African court against his six-year prison sentence for raping under-age girls. | Former Wimbledon tennis champion Bob Hewitt has appealed in a South African court against his six-year prison sentence for raping under-age girls. |
The sentence "over-emphasised" the crimes, and Hewitt's age and health should be considered, his lawyer said. | The sentence "over-emphasised" the crimes, and Hewitt's age and health should be considered, his lawyer said. |
The prosecution said it was opposed to the sentence being reduced. | The prosecution said it was opposed to the sentence being reduced. |
The 76-year-old, who is out on bail, was convicted last year of raping and sexually assaulting girls he coached in South Africa the 1980s and 1990s. | The 76-year-old, who is out on bail, was convicted last year of raping and sexually assaulting girls he coached in South Africa the 1980s and 1990s. |
The trial judge gave him permission to challenge his sentence, but not conviction, in the Supreme Court of Appeal. | The trial judge gave him permission to challenge his sentence, but not conviction, in the Supreme Court of Appeal. |
Last month, the Australian-born Hewitt was expelled from the International Tennis Hall of Fame because of his conviction. | Last month, the Australian-born Hewitt was expelled from the International Tennis Hall of Fame because of his conviction. |
"The crux of the matter is that age is supposed to be taken into account," his lawyer Johann Engelbrecht told a panel of three judges who are hearing the appeal. | "The crux of the matter is that age is supposed to be taken into account," his lawyer Johann Engelbrecht told a panel of three judges who are hearing the appeal. |
"Our submission is that the sentence over-emphasises the crime and the retribution," he added. | "Our submission is that the sentence over-emphasises the crime and the retribution," he added. |
'No remorse' | 'No remorse' |
Mr Engelbrecht also argued that Hewitt had not committed one of the "worst offences", and was not a danger to society, South Africa's privately owned Times Live news site reports. | Mr Engelbrecht also argued that Hewitt had not committed one of the "worst offences", and was not a danger to society, South Africa's privately owned Times Live news site reports. |
The judges questioned the lawyer's views, with one remarking that the trial judge could have sentenced Hewitt to life in prison for raping a minor, it reports. | The judges questioned the lawyer's views, with one remarking that the trial judge could have sentenced Hewitt to life in prison for raping a minor, it reports. |
Prosecutor Carina Coetzee said Hewitt did not deserve a lower sentence because he had failed to show remorse, and had breached the trust of children. | Prosecutor Carina Coetzee said Hewitt did not deserve a lower sentence because he had failed to show remorse, and had breached the trust of children. |
Hewitt was found guilty in March last year of raping two girls and of sexually assaulting a third. | Hewitt was found guilty in March last year of raping two girls and of sexually assaulting a third. |
The trial judge said at the time that the striking similarities between the three victims' testimonies showed that his conduct was calculated. | The trial judge said at the time that the striking similarities between the three victims' testimonies showed that his conduct was calculated. |
The appeal court reserved judgement. It has the power to maintain the six-year sentence, reduce it, or increase it. | The appeal court reserved judgement. It has the power to maintain the six-year sentence, reduce it, or increase it. |
Hewitt played initially for Australia, later moving to South Africa and taking citizenship there. | Hewitt played initially for Australia, later moving to South Africa and taking citizenship there. |
He was a member of the South African team which won the Davis Cup by default in 1974. | He was a member of the South African team which won the Davis Cup by default in 1974. |
India, their opponents, refused to travel to South Africa for the final as a protest over the government's apartheid policies. | India, their opponents, refused to travel to South Africa for the final as a protest over the government's apartheid policies. |
Previous version
1
Next version