A six-year journey to justice

The arrest of prominent Pietermaritzburg cycling star and city school counsellor Darren Goddard in June 2016, sent shockwaves through the city.

His arrest followed the disclosure of the first of nine complainants in the case, who alleged he raped and sexually assaulted them. Later eight other boys who were also counselled by Goddard came forward with statements testifying to sexual abuse at the hands of Goddard during their counselling lessons.

Goddard was initially charged with two counts of rape and sexual assault, which he pleaded not guilty to. As the investigation continued, more charges were added, culminating in 15 counts, including two relating to being in possession of and accessing child pornography. He maintained his innocence throughout the trial.

During the trial, which commenced in 2018 and ended last year, the court heard evidence from an extensive list of state witnesses, including the nine boys’ who brought charges against Goddard, who gave testimony in camera; their parents; teachers and at the school where Goddard was employed; medical doctors who examined the victims; psychologists, including a psychological expert who sat in on the trial and gave evidence on his findings; and various police members, some of whom dealt with the child pornographic content found on Goddard’s laptop.

The judge’s ruling brings to a close a turbulent six-year case.

The case experienced delays due to numerous factors, including a break to conduct a trial-within-atrial regarding a technical aspect that was later dismissed, multiple changes to legal representatives throughout the case, and the Covid19 pandemic.