Paedophile Hewitt’s legal ‘games’ get him a month of freedom
JOHANNESBURG: Convicted paedophile Bob Hewitt has secured himself at least another month of freedom as he waits for his appeal to be heard.
The development has elicited outrage from those he raped and women’s rights groups.
On Monday, Hewitt was sentenced to six years in prison for the rape of two of his former tennis students and the indecent assault of a third complainant. The cases date back to the 1980s and 90s.
The disgraced tennis ace was also ordered to pay R100 000 to the Department of Justice to help fund anti-abuse campaigns.
However, Hewitt appeared in the high court in Pretoria yesterday, represented by a new counsel, who managed to secure him at least another month of freedom.
It was unclear why Hewitt opted for new representation.
Advocate Johann Engelbrecht argued in court that he was not familiar enough with the case to properly apply for leave to appeal the sentence and conviction.
Judge Bert Bam was clearly irritated at the request for a lengthy postponement, but allowed Engelbrecht until June 19 to prepare.
He also altered Hewitt’s bail conditions. Bam told Hewitt he was not to leave his home in the Eastern Cape except for medical treatment and to attend the court proceedings in June.
Asked by Engelbrecht if Hewitt would be allowed to leave home to consult with his legal team, Bam replied: “You go there to consult.”
During the proceedings, a combination of anger and sadness was clearly visible on the faces of complainants Theresa “Twiggy” Tolken and Suellen Sheehan.
NGO Women and Men Against Child Abuse representatives could be heard in the gallery quietly voicing their distaste at the decision.
Standing just metres away from the man who raped her, Tolken told journalists thatHewitt’s legal team “were playing games”.
She said: “He’s been out of jail for the last 30 years. Let them appeal, but put him in jail now. I’m entirely happy with the six-year sentence, but this is absolute nonsense. I am losing confidence in our justice system.”
Sheehan, red-eyed and slightly shaking, told journalists: “I’ve lived in my own personal prison for the last 33 years, I’m not the convict here, he is. And he should be in prison, not me. And I will continue to live in prison until he goes and pays for what he’s done to me.”
Sheehan vowed she would continue to attend each appearance, but when asked about how the delays over the past few years had affected her life, the tears flowed.
“It’s horrible… He’s victimising me and he will continue to do this, and I think it’s a disgrace that he’s allowed to do it,” she said.