FORTY YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR REPEAT OFFENDER
The Victoria West Regional Court has sentenced Gerald van Wyk (53), to 40 years direct imprisonment after the court found him guilty on charges of attempted rape, a further count of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, as well as housebreaking with the intent to steal and theft. On 25 July 2022, the accused broke into a home of a member of the community, and when the owner of the house returned from work, she found that someone had broken into their home and several items from her house were stolen. The accused was later linked to the crime through fingerprints.
On 27 august 2022, while on bail the accused attempted to rape a blood relative of his own, after grabbing her from behind on her way home. After the accused was unsuccessful in his attempts, he proceeded to hit the victim twice on the head with a stone, which caused injuries. The accused was charged with attempted rape and a further count of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. While out of custody, the accused was later re-arrested on 20 October 2022, for housebreaking with the intent to steal and theft. He was kept in custody for the duration of the case.
In aggravation of the sentence, Adv.Van Wyk, argued that the court duly consider the importance of members of society being protected from individuals who live without regard for women and their property, as both complainants are female and their rights to dignity and privacy were mercilessly discarded. During the trial, the accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 years of direct imprisonment for housebreaking and theft. On charges of attempted rape and assault the court imposed 15 years of direct imprisonment and he was also sentenced to 13 years of direct imprisonment for housebreaking with the intent to steal and theft.
The Regional Court Victoria West ordered that the sentences not run concurrently, as the accused had 23 previous convictions. Adv. Van Wyk assisted by Court Preparation Officer Siphiwokuhle Sinazo Ndletyana, in the preparation for trial and receiving the Victim Impact Statements, ensured that the accused was sentenced to the maximum sentence applicable for his crimes.
