The Barkley West Regional court handed down a 12 year direct imprisonment for one count of rape and another year for contravention of a protection order to 38-year-old, Gaston Hilton James on Friday, 24 February 2023.

Both sentences will run concurrently.

The accused was on trial for assaulting and raping his partner a 40-year-old male victim between 22 December 2021 and 04 January 2022.

He went into hiding until he was traced and arrested on 30 January 2022.

The investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Daniel Satisfied indicated he was even more motivated because he wanted the public to take note of the conviction as it involved members of the sexual minority groups (LBTQI+ communities).

The Galeshewe FCS Unit Commander, Lt Colonel Marli Strydom applauded Detective Warrant Officer Daniel Satiesfied for the thorough investigation of the case and ensuring that perpetrators of GBVF are dealt with harshly.

Source: South African Police Service