PHOTO: SIYABONGA SESANT
The Eastern Cape man who has been found guilty of the rape, sexual assault and human trafficking of young girls is hoping he’d get a non-custodial sentence.
Lukas Rudman, 66, appeared in the High Court in Makhanda on Tuesday where sentencing proceedings were stalled because of two outstanding reports.
The court heard on Tuesday that the correctional supervision and social worker’s reports – requested by Rudman’s defense team – will only be presented before court on the 19th of February 2024.
The reports are likely to indicate if Rudman is a suitable candidate for a non-custodial sentence, which is a sentence served outside of prison.
Rudman was in November found guilty of seven charges, including two counts of rape, two of sexual assault and three of the human trafficking of young girls in KwaNojoli, formerly Somerset East.
He was acquitted on four other charges.
Following his conviction in November, Rudman, who had been out on R1000 bail, was taken into custody.
The state says Rudman enticed the young complainants, who come from poor backgrounds, to visit his house by giving them gifts, including money, cell phones and food.
In some cases, he offered alcohol to the girls, who were between the ages of 13 and 18 at the time of the incidents.
State prosecutor Sharon Hendricks said the judge will, on 19 February, take the reports into consideration before determining an appropriate sentence, which will likely be announced on 22 February 2024.
