A 33-year-old George lawyer appeared in the George Magistrate’s Court on sex crime charges relating to a minor (17), after he was arrested on Monday.

According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies, the accused faces charges of rape, sexual grooming, sexual exploitation, sexual assault and trafficking in persons for allegedly recruiting a child for sexual exploitation.

“These acts were allegedly performed between June and September 2024,” says Spies.

The victim was working for the accused at his firm in the CBD where she was performing admin duties.

It is further alleged that he threatened her by saying that she had signed a contract stating that everything at the office was confidential and that if she told anyone what had happened, she could go to jail.

He made his first appearance in court on Tuesday and the case was remanded until Monday for his formal bail application. He remains in custody.

The victim recently reported the incidents to her parents after which a case was opened at the police. The case is being investigated by the George Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit.