NORTHERN CAPE – The SAPS welcomes the sentences that was handed to Paulus Pienaar (37) in the Port Nolloth Regional Court, recently.
On 12 April 2019 at about 01:30, Paulus Pienaar gained entrance through a window and accosted a 39-year-old female who was sleeping in her shanty in Sandrif, Alexander Bay. The suspect attempted to rape her however, the victim retaliated. The victim was 3 months pregnant at the time of the incident. Pienaar was arrested on the same day and later received R500 bail.
In a separate incident on 21 June 2020, at about 11pm, the accused forced the window open of the bedroom at a house in Sandrif, Alexander Bay. The accused threatened a female victim with a knife and instructed her to undress before he attempted to rape her. The 39-year-old female victim fought back and the suspect fled. He was arrested hours later and remained in custody until his sentencing, on 23 October 2020.
Paulus Pienaar was sentenced on Count 1- Attempted Rape to 10 years imprisonment.
Count 2 – Housebreaking with the intent to rape he received 3 years imprisonment.
Count 3 – Sexual assault to 7 years imprisonment.
Count 4 – housebreaking and theft to 4 years imprisonment.
Pienaar received a total of 24 years imprisonment. The suspect was also declared unfit to possess a firearm by the Court.
“The Acting Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection, Brigadier Nicky Mills commended Warrant Officer Ulrich Aitken and Warrant Officer Andre Swanepoel from Port Nolloth Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) for their commitment and dedication in the two cases. Protecting our women and children still remains one of the Priorities of the SAPS, said Brigadier Mills”.