GEORGE NEWS - A 50-year-old George man accused of raping and sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in the Great Brak River area in August 2023 was acquitted in the Mossel Bay Regional Court on 9 October.
The man, who had been in custody since his arrest in September 2023 after being denied bail, was released.
He faced three counts of rape and one of sexual assault, stemming from an incident involving the girl, her mother and the accused, who was the mother's boyfriend.
The defence argued that the incident had been planned to 'trap' the accused, an argument the court found was supported by certain aspects of the evidence.
The court also found significant contradictions in the evidence of the complainant and her mother, and raised concerns about the credibility of the state witnesses. All four charges against him were dismissed.
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