A Paradise Beach father, accused of sexually abusing his children and using them to produce child pornography, will return to the Gqeberha high court next week when state and defence attorneys are expected to make their closing arguments.
After two days of cross-examination by the prosecution earlier this week, the accused returned to the dock on Thursday where his attorney closed the case for the defence.
The attorneys on record are expected to file their heads of argument early next week, and are scheduled to make their final arguments before judge Nyameko Gqamana on Wednesday.
The 56-year-old man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, is accused of grooming and sexually abusing his stepson and biological daughter between 2015 and 2022.
He allegedly exposed them to pornography from a very young age and later instructed them to perform sexual acts with each other while he took pictures and videos.
The accused is also alleged to have instructed his stepson to take pictures and videos of other girls he had relationships with, and then send the pictures to the accused.
He faces more than 700 charges related to the production and distribution of child pornography, as well as charges of sexual assault and bestiality.
His stepson, now 22, pleaded guilty to raping his sister and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
The accused’s former partner, who is also the mother of his daughter and stepson, was handed a three-year suspended sentence for not reporting a sexual offence, as well as defeating the ends of justice for notifying the accused of the police investigation.
During his testimony this week, the accused denied all the allegations against him and said he was the victim of an elaborate ploy by his family to have him locked up and blamed for his stepson’s criminal behaviour.
He remains in custody.
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.