State still to decide whether to proceed with jockey’s rape case

Outstanding statements, ongoing consultations and the decision whether to continue with the prosecution of a man accused of the rape and sexual assault of his stepdaughter were some of the reasons given for requesting a postponement in the matter.

Yesterday, the man, a 40year-old jockey at the Fairview racecourse, appeared briefly in the Gqeberha magistrate’s court for his case to be postponed to October 6 for further investigations.

He is not being named as he is yet to plead to the charges against him and to protect the identity of his stepdaughter, 16.

Pushed for reasons for the postponement by magistrate Abigail Beaton, prosecutor Linda le Roux said she had been in numerous consultations and that there were still two statements outstanding.

She did not disclose what statements were still needed.

According to Le Roux, the state had a prima facie case but there were a number of family issues involved which needed to be sorted out.

Le Roux said a decision would need to be made on whether to prosecute after consultations with experts.

The man was arrested on June 16 at the Fairview racecourse and was released on R5,000 bail nearly a week later.

He faces two charges, one of sexual assault and one of rape.

The state alleges that the man started sexually assaulting his stepdaughter in 2016 and raped her twice.

The girl allegedly told a friend about what had happened and the friend’s mother then assisted her in reporting the matter to the relevant authorities.