A 60-year-old East London priest, who raped a nine-year-old girl from his neighbourhood and gave her R5 for her silence, has been sentenced to 18 years imprisonment.
Michael April warned the victim not to tell anyone about the incident after raping her in August last year in Fynbos, Buffalo Flats.
In May, he was found guilty by the East London high court.
Sentencing April on Wednesday, judge Nomathamsanqa Beshe said the offence he committed was brutal, degrading and humiliating.
“It becomes more worse that the complainant is a nine-year-old and is violated by a neighbour who is 50 years older, a person she probably looked to for protection,” Beshe said.
The child has been since moved to a place of safety.
“It is clear the life trajectory of the complainant changed for life as a result of having been raped by the accused,” Beshe said.
The judge said it was “unfortunate that predators continue preying on children”.
She said the courts would not be discouraged from dispensing justice, and respond to wrongdoings in the manner they deserve.
The name of April will be registered in the national register for sexual offenders.
The family of the victim welcomed the sentence.
DispatchLIVE
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