Serial rapist guilty 18 times
2003-11-20 19:31
Johannesburg - Self-confessed serial rapist Stanley Eugene de Jager, was convicted by the Johannesburg High Court on Thursday on 18 of 21 charges of kidnapping, rape and indecent assault of girls, mostly teenagers.
Judge Corum Boruchowitz said: "Throughout the trial, until it was established conclusively via DNA that the accused was on the scene, De Jager's version was one of complete denial of involvement.
"I found you to be an inveterate liar, who lied to his legal representatives, to the court, to the psychologist and psychiatrists at Sterkfontein Hospital where after mental observation you were found fit to stand trial," he said.
"The evidence implicating you in these offences is considerable and overwhelming."
Boruchowitz convicted de Jager on seven counts of indecent assault, three counts of rape and eight counts of kidnapping women. The conviction included three charges that De Jager denied.
Profile of a serial sex offender
On November 4, de Jager pleaded guilty to 15 and denied six of 21 charges.
Boruchowitz found De Jager not guilty on the remaining three counts because there was insufficient time to take adequate note of the features of the driver of the silver vehicle from which they managed to escape.
Prosecutor Louisa Loots is expected to call a psychiatrist to place before the court aggravating features, including the profile of a serial sex offender, when the trial resumes on Monday.
De Jager's attorney, Renier Spies, said the defence would call a psychologist, Dr Kobus Redelinghuys, to testify in mitigation of sentence.
Testifying on November 6, De Jager told the court he came from a "conservative family, especially regarding to sex".
He claimed he "gave in" to his "dark side" and lured sex victims by pretending to be lost.
"Some got into my silver Toyota Tazz willingly and others I told them there was a gun under the seat," he said in testimony.
"On one occasion I slid out the car's back registration after spotting a likely victim."
He told the court that when his victims broke down and cried when forced into sexual activities he would become frustrated, aggressive and threaten them with violence.
- SAPA