Latest news with #LoraineEarle
The Herald
a day ago
- The Herald
Uncle sentenced to life in prison for rape he committed 13 years ago
The Bloemfontein regional court this week sentenced a 51-year-old man to life imprisonment for raping his 10-year-old niece in January 2012. The now 21-year-old woman disclosed the abuse to a social worker during a counselling session in August 2024. 'She reported that the accused was a trusted family member who began sexually abusing her when she was just 10-years-old, escalating from digital penetration to rape at a residence in Rocklands, Bloemfontein,' Free State police spokesperson Capt Loraine Earle said on Friday. It was revealed during sentencing that the accused was on parole for an earlier rape conviction at the time of the offence, 'an aggravating factor that underscored the court's decision to impose life imprisonment'. Free State police commissioner Lt-Gen Baile Motswenyane praised the team responsible for securing his conviction. 'Your dedication to a case which took place more than a decade ago is testament to an investigating officer who takes pride in bringing justice to a victim who was crippled with fear for years.' TimesLIVE
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Nine arrested, four bakkies seized after looting of maize truck
Nine people were arrested for looting a maize truck that overturned on the N5 on its way to the Durban Harbour. Additionally, four bakkies that were used to load the maize meal were seized. The police were summoned to the scene where they discovered several community members looting and loading maize into the bakkies. Following the incident, more vehicles kept arriving at the scene and unlawfully removed the maize cargo. The Harrismith Public Order Police Unit arrested the nine suspects, aged 30 to 63, in possession of suspected stolen property. The four bakkies were loaded with maize estimated to be worth R90 000. Two police officers have been arrested for allegedly demanding a bribe from a liquor store in Harrismith, Free State. According to a police statement, the police officers visited the liquor store in March 2025 and presented themselves as officials from Bloemfontein. They claimed that they were conducting an inspection to verify the authenticity of the liquor being sold. After completing their inspection, the police officers allegedly demanded a R5000 bribe from the liquor store owner. The owner said that she only had R2 500, which the officers accepted. The Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit arrested the two suspects, aged 44 and 45 respectively, who are from Bethlehem Public Order Policing Unit. Captain Loraine Earle confirmed with The South African that the suspects appeared at the Harrismith Magistrate's Court today and their case was postponed to 18 June 2025 for them to apply for bail. The Provincial Commissioner of Police in the Free State, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, said that they will continue their fight against crime, even if SAPS members are involved.' 'We will continue to fight corruption relentlessly. If those involved are from within our own ranks, we will not hesitate to take decisive action. No one is above the law, and we remain committed to ensuring accountability and upholding the integrity of the SAPS,' said Motswenyane. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
26-04-2025
- The Citizen
Bloemfontein mother convicted for sexually assaulting minor son
The mother managed to avoid jail time after entering into a plea agreement. A 52-year-old Free State mother has been sentenced to correctional supervision for sexually abusing her minor son over the course of three years. The Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court handed down the five-year sentence on Thursday in terms of Section 276 (1)(h) of the Criminal Procedure act, after the woman pleaded guilty and entered into a plea agreement. Section 276 (1)(h) South African Police Service (Saps) regional spokesperson Captain Loraine Earle told The Citizen that a sentence under these circumstances entails strict supervision and rules regarding movement. 'Movement is limited and time is restricted. [Offenders] are also being restricted on consumption of alcohol,' Earle said. 'In summary, you are not in prison but you are being held inside your residence under strict rules and conditions and are being closely monitored.' ALSO READ: Gqeberha High Court hands down 11 life terms for man who raped six minor boys Disturbing case In a case Saps describes as disturbing, the Bloemfontein resident had reportedly been raping and sexually assaulting her now 16-year-old son several times between January 2020 and December 2023 since he was 12 years old. Earle said the boy had disclosed the abuse to a professional service provider during a consultation session in February 2024. '[This prompted] immediate investigation by Constable Jessica du Preez from the Parkroad Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit,' Earle added. Mother charged and arrested The mother was then charged with sexual assault and arrested on 25 May 2024, and the boy was placed in the care of his biological father. 'Although bail was initially opposed by the investigating officer, the court granted bail in the amount of R10 000 and the accused was subsequently released.' The mother's details will be entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders, and she has been declared unsuitable to work with children. NOW READ: Man sentenced to four life terms for raping four young boys
IOL News
25-04-2025
- IOL News
Mother sentenced to five years for horrific sexual abuse of her son
52-year-old woman convicted of sexual abuse against her son in Free State. In a shocking case, a 52-year-old woman from the Free State has recently been convicted of sexually abusing her son. Police spokesperson Captain Loraine Earle said the case includes distressing rape and sexual assault events in Bloemfontein's Bayswater neighbourhood between January 2020 and December 2023. "The biological mother was convicted of sexual offences, where the boy was subjected to sexual abuse by her. This happened on several occasions since the boy was 12," Earle said. Constable du Preez's rigorous investigation and the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) efficient prosecution resulted in the accused's conviction for sexual assault. Upon sentence, the court ordered the accused to spend 60 months of correctional supervision under Section 276(1)(h) of the Criminal Procedure Act. Furthermore, the accused's information will be submitted to the National Registry of Sexual Offenders. The accused has also been ruled inappropriate for working with minors.
