Hewitt e-mail double fault

Content of hacked communication between convicted rapist Bob Hewitt’s victims is used by his defence team to petition the Supreme Court of Appeal for leave to appeal the former tennis pro’s conviction.

SABC News reported it was in possession of ‘correspondence’ between the 3 women.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is investigating how the SABC managed to lay its hands on e-mails between convicted rapist Bob Hewitt’s three victims and a prosecutor.

NPA spokesperson Luvuyo Mfaka said once that had been established, the next step would be considered.

The e-mails are being used by Hewitt’s defence team to petition the Supreme Court of Appeals (SCA) for leave to appeal Hewitt’s conviction. The SABC reported Hewitt’s defence attorney, Alwyn Griebenow, stated the SCA had been petitioned.

Criminal defence attorney Cliff Alexander said the admissibility of the evidence would be contentious as there are constitutional issues at stake, such as invasion of privacy. “However, the court does have the discretion to allow the evidence,” said Alexander.

Yesterday SABC News reported it was in possession of “correspondence” between Suellen Sheehan, Theresa Tolken and the third woman who may not be named, which showed the three “may have colluded” nearly three years before the trial.

“Correspondence between a witness and a prosecutor is definitely not unusual. The contact between the women was made long before the case went to court; sharing their experiences and the long-term effects of their childhood trauma. That is not collusion,” said Woman and Men against Child Abuse spokesperson Germaine Vogel.

“Nowhere did anyone strategise or ‘collude’ to get a conviction – it wasn’t necessary. The case was strong enough.”

Hewitt is under house arrest at his home in East London, following his convictions for two counts of rape and one of sexual assault. He has applied to have his sentence of six years’ imprisonment reviewed.

Meanwhile, the knocks to Hewitt’s reputation continue following a decision by a US court to award Heather Crowe nearly R17 million in a civil case after she accused Hewitt of abusing her in the 1970s. – amandaw@citizen.co.za

Nowhere did anyone strategise or ‘collude’ to get a conviction – it wasn’t necessary Germaine Vogel Woman and Men against Child Abuse spokesperson

Picture: Gallo Images CONVICTED: Bob Hewitt , seen here during his bail hearing in the North Gauteng High Court on May 19 this year, was sentenced to six years in jail for two counts of rape and one of indecent assault.