Ex-coach pleads guilty

Former Parktown Boys’ High School water polo coach Collan Rex pleaded guilty to 144 sexual assault charges at the High Court, sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, yesterday.

The coach, who was once himself a pupil at the school, was seen on CCTV footage touching a pupil inappropriately and entering one of the dorm rooms at the schools boarding facility.

State prosecutor Arveena Persad told the court that there were 327 charges against Rex.

“How do you plead to those charges?” Judge Peet Johnson asked.

“I plead not guilty but there are admissions,” Rex responded.

Persad read out the various charges that Rex had admitted to, which included him sexually assaulting various pupils by touching their private parts and simulating sex with them.

Rex resigned when allegations of sexual assault and rape were levelled against him and he is currently out on R3 000 bail.

The 22-year-old is facing numerous charges ranging from rape, sexual assault, exposure of pornography to a child, sexual grooming and attempted murder.

Rex confirmed the admissions and pleaded guilty to the 144 sexual assault charges involving 12 victims.

The trial was postponed to Monday. – ANA