Nicholas Ninow was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of a seven-year- old girl at a Dros restaurant in Silverton in the east of Pretoria last year.
Ninow appeared at the North Gauteng High Court on Thursday where Judge Mokhine Mosopa handed down judgment.
He was sentenced to serve life imprisonment for two counts of rape, five years in prison for possession of drugs and another five years for defeating the ends of justice.
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Mosopa said the crime committed by Ninow was a serious one and that he failed to show any compelling evidence to get a lighter sentence.
He said Ninow was also not remorseful.
The 21-year-old man wrote a letter to the victim’s family and a poem to the victim asking for forgiveness.
Mosopa said the letter was not a sign of remorse, but a sign of regret.
“The accused is aware that he is facing the prospects of a lengthy term of imprisonment,” he said.
In his testimony, Ninow said he would commit suicide if he was served with a life sentence.
His grandmother, Pauline Gericke took the stand on Wednesday, detailing the destructive life drugs and alcohol he was introduced to by his mother.
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She said the boy she raised was not capable of hurting a child and that and in a sober state, he was a good person.
“He wouldn’t harm anybody, not a child,” she said
“There is another side to Nicholas, which people don’t know. He is not just the Dros rapist.”
He further admitted being in possession of and using a drug commonly referred to as “Cat”.
Pauline said Ninow’s drug habit made him a different person who was aggressive and manic when high.
The emotional grandmother told the court how she had tried various interventions to get his grandson clean, but it failed five times.
“My husband and I re-mortgaged our house to pay for his rehab,” she said.
“It cost us close to R100 000 for just one rehabilitation centre.”
Pauline apologised to the victim’s family.
“I would like to tell them how sorry I am that it was my child who did this to them,” she said.
“I would like to say to that little girl that I am sorry.”
Ninow is expected to serve his sentence immediately.
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