A Cradock man convicted on charges relating to the rape and statutory rape of a teenage girl has been sentenced to an effective 20 year behind bars in the Cradock Regional Court.
55 year old Riaan Venabels was arrested in Bloemfontein in 2014.
At the time police alleged Venabels raped and kidnapped a 13-year old girl. He was in the company of the teenager when he was arrested in Bloemfontein.
He was convicted in December of last year and was found not guilty on a charge of abduction.
On Friday, Venabels was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for the rape charge and two years each for the two statutory rape convictions.
The sentences are to run concurrently.Venabels is being represented by defense attorney James Riley who took over the case after he was convicted.Leave to appeal both the conviction and sentence was granted.
-African News Agency (ANA)
