The Western Cape High Court has sentenced 42-year-old Leano Vergotine to five life terms and an additional 78 years in prison without the possibility of parole for a series of sexual offences committed in 2022.
During the sentencing, the presiding officer officially declared Vergotine a dangerous paedophile. The convictions stem from a string of gruesome crimes committed between July and September 2022. According to the court, Vergotine raped and filmed two boys, aged nine and 14, and raped and physically assaulted a 16-year-old girl during the act. Additionally, an 18-year-old woman was a victim of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Vergotine was arrested and formally charged with five counts of rape, two counts of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, child pornography, grooming, and the contravention of the Film and Publication Act.
Western Cape SAPS Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General (Adv) Thembisile Patekile commended the successful investigation and prosecution. She specifically lauded Warrant Officer Anthony Rooy, a detective with the Ceres FCS unit, for his relentless pursuit of justice in securing the conviction.
