Latest news with #SexualOffences
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Femicide horror as EC man kills wife and ex-girlfriend
A man is on the run after allegedly shooting his ex-girlfriend and wife in a double femicide in Lusikisiki. As South Africa marks Women's Month, an Eastern Cape man is wanted for killing his reportedly pregnant ex-girlfriend and then going home and shooting his wife while she slept. A 42-year-old man is wanted for allegedly shooting and killing two women in the Ngobozana area in Lusikisiki on Tuesday. The man allegedly shot and killed his 49-year-old wife and 22-year-old ex-girlfriend in the early hours of the day between 1am and 1:30am. Police searching for man accused of killing wife and ex-girlfriend Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said that the motive for the killings is unknown at this stage. According to reports, the suspect first shot his ex-girlfriend at a tavern in the Chithwayo locality before he then proceeded to his home in Unity Park. He then allegedly shot his wife while she was asleep. The suspect fled the scene in the family's vehicle, which police later discovered abandoned. ALSO READ: Withdrawn GBV cases allow 'perpetrators to evade justice', hears portfolio committee The police are appealing to anyone with information on the suspect's whereabouts to contact Lusikisiki Detectives Head, Colonel Siyabulela Kufa, on 082 302 5118, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or the nearest police station. Gantana said callers can remain anonymous. This tragic incident of gender-based violence (GBV) comes as South Africa commemorates Women's Month. According to the South African Police Service (Saps), over the past year, the Saps Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit has made significant inroads in tackling GBV and related crimes. Women's Month and police progress with GBV cases Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, the unit arrested 22 219 suspects for GBV, femicide, sexual offences, and crimes against children, and secured 2 941 convictions. Breakdown of convictions: 604 offenders sentenced to life imprisonment 350 offenders sentenced to 20 years or more 735 offenders sentenced to 10–19 years 1 391 offenders sentenced to one – 9 years ALSO READ: 'Declare Limpopo a GBV disaster zone' – ANCWL During the same period, the unit arrested all 22 219 suspects for crimes related to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) mandate. Western Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal registered the most arrests: Western Cape: 4 727 Gauteng: 4 278 KwaZulu-Natal: 3 802 The National Commissioner of the Saps, General Fannie Masemola, praised the dedicated men and women in blue for their tireless efforts in protecting society's most vulnerable. Safer SA for women and children 'Through resilience, unwavering dedication, and high-quality investigations, our men and women in blue continue to ensure that sexual offenders are brought to justice and removed from society,' Masemola said. 'Every conviction brings us one step closer to a safer South Africa for all women and girl children.'
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Storekeeper pleads not guilty to sexually assaulting stepdaughter
The accused was charged under the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping. PETALING JAYA : A storekeeper was charged in the Kota Bharu sessions court today with five counts of sexual assault against his 16-year-old stepdaughter between last December and March this year. Buletin TV3 reported that the 48-year-old man claimed trial when the charges against him were read before judge Zulkifli Abllah. The man is accused of sexually assaulting the teenager at their home in Taman Sentosa Badang, Kota Bharu, in December, February and March. He was charged under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, punishable under Section 14 of the same Act, which provides for imprisonment of up to 20 years and whipping. Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Faiz Fitri Mohamad prosecuted while lawyer Aisyah Abdullah represented the accused. The court fixed bail at RM20,000 and set Sept 8 for re-mention of the case.
Irish Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man in court charged with communicating with 'girl' aged 13 for sexual purposes
A man has appeared in court charged with trying to communicate with a child for sexual purposes in Co Donegal. The accused man, who is in his 20s, was brought before Letterkenny District Court by detectives. Judge Eiteain Cunningham heard how the man used both Snapchat and Whatsapp to communicate with whom he thought was a 13-year-old child. The accused man, who is a professional and in his 20s, cannot be named for legal reasons. When arrested, the man was found in possession of five condoms while 'other sexual paraphernalia' was found in a property. Messages found on the man's phone allegedly claim how he asked the 'girl' if she was a virgin and if they could have sex in an apartment he had rented. It follows allegations against the accused man, which were widely shared on social media. The man was charged by detectives in Donegal at 4.07pm on Wednesday, July 16. The man was charged that, between July 10 2025 and July 15 2025, both dates inclusive, within the State, did by means of information and communication technology, namely Snapchat and WhatsApp, communicate with another person for the purpose of facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child under the age of 17. The charge is contrary to section 8 (1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that An Garda Siochana were objecting to bail. He said there was 'quite a lot of strong evidence' in the matter. Sergeant Collins said that detectives had obtained copies of conversations between the accused man and what was described as 'a fictional child', who he believed was 13 years of age on Snapchat and WhatsApp. The man, with an address in the Dublin area, had booked an apartment in Letterkenny for a number of days. Gardai also seized other items and documents from the man's vehicle. Sergeant Collins told the court that there were concerns that the defendant would attempt to flee the jurisdiction and not make himself available to be dealt with by the law. He said there were concerns that, if released on bail, the man could commit further offences of a similar nature. The man has no previous convictions and has never been before the court on other matters. The man's solicitor, Mr Rory O'Brien, told the court that his client has a first class honours degree from an Irish university. Until recently, the man was in active employment, but is now unemployed. The court heard that the accused man would have 'no difficulty' in handing his passport to the authorities. Mr O'Brien told Judge Cunningham that bail could be considered with conditions attached. Sergeant Collins said that evidence has been put to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the form of information obtained from the accused's phone and said that 'this is very strong evidence of his communication with what he thought to be a 13-year-old female'. Judge Cunningham said that she had carefully listened to the evidence and submissions. She said that the accused has the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. However, Judge Cunningham found the prosecution to have established a likelihood of the accused trying to evade justice. The man was remanded in custody to appear before a future sitting of Letterkenny District Court. Under new law introduced in 2024, persons charged with such offences are entitled to anonymity until they are convicted or the restriction is otherwise lifted by a Court. Judge Cunningham directed that a publication order should remain at this time. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Citizen
30-06-2025
- The Citizen
Meet Constable Neo Sedi…
SEDIBENG – In celebration of Youth Month, the SAPS has embarked on a series of profiles to highlight the work of its young men and women in blue who go above and beyond the call of duty. Meet Constable Neo Sedi (30) who is attached to the Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC) in Vaalrand in Gauteng as a tactical trainer. His journey with the SAPS began in 2019. In 2020, he was placed at the Zamdela Police Station in the Free State, gaining hands-on experience in both the Client Service Centre (CSC) and Crime Prevention duties, before moving to Sasolburg Public Order Policing (POP) towards the end of 2020. Sedi was later transferred to Sedibeng K9 in the Vaal where he continued upskilling himself through attendance of several in-service training courses, including First Responder to Sexual Offences, Tactical Policing, Domestic Violence Programme, Road Crime Crash First Responder, DNA Buccal Sampling, Basic and Drug Crime Investigation, Human Rights in Policing and many others. While thriving in operational environments, Sedi discovered a parallel passion: to develop other members. His exposure to various in-service training opportunities sparked an academic fire within him, one that would eventually fuel his pursuit of becoming a tactical trainer and an academic facilitator. This year, he officially joined the HRDC in Vaalrand. As a tactical trainer in the SAPS, Sedi teaches specialised skills and training such as the Use of Firearm training, Tactical Policing, Tactical Survival Techniques, and present annual maintenance shooting. He is currently pursuing his post-school education in the field of law, further deepening his understanding of the law, policing and justice. 'For me, policing is about more than reaction;, it's about preparation. If we prepare our members well, we empower them to perform with confidence and credibility, both on the ground and in the courts,' said Sedi. To the youth of South Africa, his message is simple but profound: 'Find your passion and serve it with purpose. Don't wait for opportunity, prepare for it.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Herald Scotland
19-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Explainer: Why men are having teen rape charges 'downgraded'
In her 2025 audit of group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, Casey noted that while the legal age of consent is 16, prosecutions involving this age group are often dropped or downgraded—especially when a victim is said to have consented or been 'in love' with an adult perpetrator. READ MORE: Scots legal 'grey area' may let men avoid teen rape charges 'Open to interpretation' 'Although any sexual activity with 13–15-year-olds is unlawful, the decision on whether to charge, and which offence to charge with, is left more open to interpretation,' said Baroness Casey. The peer argues this flexibility is well-intentioned—designed to avoid criminalising young people close in age or those who mistakenly believe someone is older—but warns it is being exploited by adult men who groom children. Her recommendation: make all penetrative sexual activity between adults and under-16s automatically rape, as is the case in countries like France. What the law says in Scotland Age of consent Under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009, the age of consent is 16. Any sexual activity involving a child under 16 is a criminal offence, even when both parties are underage. Children under 13 The law is unequivocal: sexual activity involving a child under 13 is automatically treated as rape or sexual assault. Consent is not a defence. Scottish Government guidance requires that any such concerns be escalated via local child protection procedures. Children aged 13–15 Sexual activity in this age group is illegal, but prosecution is more discretionary. Decisions may consider age gaps, coercion, grooming, and vulnerability. Cases can be referred to the Procurator Fiscal, the Children's Reporter, or managed through safeguarding rather than the criminal courts. National guidance and crime recording National Guidance on Under-Age Sexual Activity (2010): Advises that not all underage sexual activity is abuse, but significant age gaps or power imbalances should trigger child protection responses. Mandatory reporting applies to under-13s. Scottish Crime Recording Standard: Requires prompt recording of sexual crime reports. Categorisation depends on available evidence, including victim statements and corroboration. Maximum penalties Under the 2009 Act, the maximum sentence for sexual activity with a child under 16 is 10 years. Rape and assault by penetration can result in life imprisonment. Home Secretary announces law change in England and Wales On Monday, Yvette Cooper told MPs she would legislate to tackle this great area: 'We will change the law to ensure that adults who engage in penetrative sex with a child under 16 face the most serious charge of rape, and we will work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and the police to ensure that there are safeguards for consensual teenage relationships.' Shadow minister calls for reform in Scotland Scottish Conservative shadow minister for victims and community safety, Sharon Dowey, said there could be alarming consequences if the law changes in England but not in Scotland: 'The Casey Review revealed some cases which will have deeply troubled the public and parents, given the age of those involved. 'They will be worried that the same grey area in the law could still exist up here where those who have sexually abused teenagers are not properly punished. 'If the rules down south are changed in light of these harrowing cases, then the law must be tightened up in Scotland as well to avoid any possibility of us becoming a safe haven for child abusers.' Summary The legal grey area flagged by Baroness Casey lies in how sexual activity with children aged 13–15 is handled: illegal by statute, but often inconsistently prosecuted. In Scotland, while the law criminalises all under-16 sexual activity and removes the possibility of consent for under-13s, the approach for 13–15-year-olds is more discretionary, which could lead to some cases being dropped or downgraded.
