Rapist ex-teacher Le Roux’s sentencing postponed

The pain of this horrible process should have ended today

Rapist and former teacher Neil le Roux appeared briefly in the East London Magistrate’s Court yesterday for evidence before sentencing, but the case was postponed for two months. His bail was extended. On May 31, 66-year-old Le Roux was found guilty of the rape of a student teacher, the sexual grooming and sexual assault of a schoolgirl and sexual assault of another student teacher.

The ex-teacher, who left a top East London school in disgrace in 2016 after the charges emerged, pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Le Roux began to emotionally manipulate and sexually groom the schoolgirl who regarded him as a father figure, when she was in his Grade 7 class.

The abuse, which included three kisses and prolonged embraces, continued for two years. The student teachers considered him to be an authority figure and mentor.

He raped one of them in a classroom after hours.

Yesterday Le Roux’s advocate Neil Schoeman, instructed by attorney Roger Smith, requested the postponement, saying he had been handed the pre-sentencing probation officer report and the correctional supervision report only that day.

“I only received the reports this morning and have not had the opportunity to read them. I have asked repeatedly for these documents. I may need to prepare rebuttal evidence. It is his [Le Roux’s] opportunity to put his case before court.”

Magistrate Ignatius Kitching agreed, saying he had also only received copies of the reports yesterday morning.

The case has been postponed until September 25.

The mother of the young girl said: “The pain of this horrendous process should have ended today.

“Instead, we have endured so many unnecessary delays and postponements, which has resulted in the retraumatisation of the victims.”