Dadfaces over 3 000 child sex offence charges

A FATHER will face more than 3 000 charges relating to sex crimes against children – including drugging and raping children as young as 10 years old.

The 41-year-old man, who cannot be named until he has pleaded, appeared briefly in the Thembalethu Regional Court in George, in Western Cape, yesterday.

This was just short of a year after his arrest at his Denneoord home by the George family vio- lence, child protection and sexual offences unit.

According to police, the offences were allegedly committed between 2012 and 2014 during sleep-over visits at his house and involved children visiting his 12year-old daughter.

During the visits, the suspect allegedly administered pills to the girls which resulted in them losing consciousness.

While unconscious the accused allegedly took naked photographs of the children, raped and sexually assaulted them.

There are seven children involved between the ages of 10 and 12 years .

Initially police reports suggested that his daughter was one of the victims, but during the court proceedings it came to light that she is not one of the victims.

On October 29 last year, police searched the man’s home and confiscated his laptop, desktop computer, camera and cellphone which were sent for analysis and used in the investigation.

He was subsequently arrested on November 27.

The charge sheet, which was recently finalised, revealed yesterday that the accused is facing 3 133 charges ranging from rape and sexual molestation to the creation and possession of child pornography.

The matter was postponed to Monday for a trial date to be arranged.

The accused, who turned down the option of applying for bail after his arrest, remains in custody until his next court appearance.