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By Yolande Stander
A prominent George dentist was convicted on several charges involving sexual acts on a minor after a family friend's 15-year-old son claimed he was sexually assaulted by the man during a sleepover about three years ago.
Magistrate Euginia Jacobs found 42-year-old Ian Venter guilty on three charges involving sexual acts, including penetration, on a minor as well as two charges relating to showing pornographic material to a person under 18.
Venter was however acquitted on the main charges relating to rape.
Venter faced nine charges including rape and sexual assault after the alleged incident during a sleepover at Venter's luxury rental home in Victoria Bay outside George on December 27, 2011.
In his testimony the boy, who is now 17 years old, said Venter had given him alcohol and showed him pornographic material before performing various sexual acts on him.
Venter was arrested the next day and was subsequently released on bail of R1000. He pleaded not guilty on all charges and chose not to take the stand.
Jacobs said various aspects of the incident were never contested including that sexual acts had been performed, pornographic material - which was later found in Venter's home - had been given to the teenager, that Venter had known the boy's age, that the accused's DNA had been found on the complainant's pants as well as a bed sheet and that the teenager had sustained anal injuries.
What was however contested was among other aspects, if consent was given, whether Venter gave the teenager alcohol and penetration took place.
Jacobs said that the State did no prove beyond reasonable doubt the boy consumed alcohol. "Blood tests were never done and police never looked for empty alcohol bottles. This would have made the things a lot easier," Jacobs said yesterday.
She further said that the boy's version also suggested that there was no call for help when the sexual acts were being performed and that he went along with Venter's requests including to undress himself.
The state failed to prove otherwise and therefore she could not find Venter guilty of rape.
She was however satisfied with independent witness Dr Zilla North's testimony that there were "soft signs of penetration".
She also mentioned that Venter admitted through instructions to his attorney that sexual acts had been performed between him and the boy on the night and that this corroborated the boy's claims.
Jacobs also combined several of the charges relating to the sexual acts.
The matter was postponed until November 12 for sentencing.
