Western Cape High Court upholds life sentence for repeat rapist

A REPEAT offender rapist will stay behind bars for life after the appeal against his sentence was dismissed in the Western Cape High Court.

- CHEVON BOOYSEN

Audrey le Roux, 40, who at trial entered into a plea agreement admitting to the charges brought against him, brought his automatic appeal from the regional court.

His appeal came after being convicted and sentenced for the rape of a minor and a charge of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. His appeal was specifically against the life sentence he received in connection with the rape.

According to the court judgment, the 13-year-old rape victim (first complainant) was in the company of her friend (second complainant) when they were accosted by Le Roux "out of the blue".

He struck the second complainant with a stone (brick) on her head.

The first complainant ran away, and Le Roux pursued her. He caught up with her, dragged her into the bushes, and raped her. Both complainants were minors at the time.

In judgment, Judge Derek Wille dismissed the appeal and confirmed the life sentence.