Partktown Boys coach convicted and sentenced to 23 years in prison

Collan Rex, former water polo coach at Parktown Boys High School has been sentenced to 23 years direct imprisonment, Rosebank Killarney Gazette reports.

Rex was found guilty of 144 charges of sexual assault and 12 common assault charges.

Rex also faced charges of attempted murder, rape, sexual grooming and exposing minors to pornography.

During his trial, he admitted to acts of grabbing and squeezing boys’ genitals as well as rubbing his penis against several boys while they were fully clothed.

20 years for the counts of sexual assault and six years for assault, three of which run concurrently.

The judge did not hold back and said, ” ‘I have never come across a case where a person has been convicted on 144 sexual assault charges in such a short space of time… you are a serial sex offender and a bully.”

Update: Judge is now passing down his sentence.

Judge: 'I am at a loss to find your motive… mere acknowledgement of guilt is not enough.' Adding that there was no apology given to victims or the school #CollanRex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette

— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018

Judge says: 'You were like a runaway train that could not have been brought to a stop. If not caught out, how long would this have carried on for?' #CollanRex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette

— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018

Judge says: 'You must have realised that the abuse you suffered was abnormal and unacceptable… You can not have known that what you were doing was wrong.' #parktownboys #CollanRex @RK_Gazette

— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018

Judge says: 'I have never come across a case where a person has been convicted on 144 sexual assault charges in such a short space of time… you are a serial sex offender and a bully.' #CollanRex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette

— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018

Judge says #collanrex's actions had a devastating effect on victims #parktownboys @RK_Gazette

— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018

Prosecutor recommends a lengthy direct imprisonment of 25 years #CollanRex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette

— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018

Prosecutor describes #CollanRex's behaviour as premeditated, merciless and inhumane #parktownboys @RK_Gazette

— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018

The #CollanRex case is expected to get underway again today at the Palm Ridge Magistrates' Court with the defense giving their closing statements #parktownboys @RK_Gazette pic.twitter.com/nI3DjKcF51

— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018

https://twitter.com/SarahKingon/status/1068038613076721664

https://twitter.com/SarahKingon/status/1068039646968496133

Defense lawyer claims that the victims were only impacted with psychological problems after classmates and teachers teased them and not as a result of #CollanRex's actions #parktownboys @RK_Gazette

— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018

Defense lawyer asks for correctional supervision as a sentence #parktownboys #CollanRex @RK_Gazette

— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018

Prosecutor says defense focused on circumstances of the accused and did not consider the impact on complainants or the effect on society #CollanRex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette

— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018

Prosecutor reads out the aggravating factors including a previous conviction of possession of dagga in 2015 and the impact on victims including a number of attempted suicides #CollanRex #parktownboys @RK_Gazette

— Sarah Koning (@SarahKingon) November 29, 2018