A 47-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment by the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court for raping and attempting to rape two men at a shelter in Akasia.

Neil Klein, originally from Cape Town, received a 15-year sentence for the rape of a 32-year-old man and an additional five years for the attempted rape of a 43-year-old man.

The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), both victims and the accused were residing at a shelter in Akasia at the time of the incidents.

NPA regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the first incident occurred on July 9, 2023, when the 43-year-old victim went to the shelter’s bathroom and encountered Klein.

Mahanjana said Klein allegedly threatened the victim, locked the door and undressed himself.

“The attempted assault was interrupted when someone knocked on the bathroom door, forcing Klein to stop.

“Four months later, on November 5, 2023, a second incident occurred involving a 32-year-old man,” she said.

She said the victim went to the bathroom where Klein also confronted him, threatened him and instructed him to undress.

Klein then raped the victim, before leaving him in the bathroom.

The victim immediately reported the incident to a cook working at the shelter.

After hearing about the assault, the 43-year-old victim also came forward and disclosed the earlier attempted rape.

The matter was reported to the police the same day and Klein was arrested at the shelter the following day.

During the trial, Klein pleaded not guilty and claimed the first victim had falsely accused him because he allegedly owed him money.

State Prosecutor Advocate Twala presented evidence and testimony from both victims, which proved Klein’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

During sentencing, Klein’s legal representative asked the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, citing his difficult upbringing, limited education due to epilepsy and his circumstances of previously living on the streets of Pretoria.

Mahanjana said the State argued that the crimes were serious and that Klein had shown no remorse.

“The prosecution also pointed out that Klein had previous convictions for attempted rape and indecent assault.”

In delivering judgment, the magistrate agreed with the State that Klein had deliberately targeted vulnerable men staying at the shelter and found no substantial or compelling circumstances to justify a lesser sentence.

The court also highlighted the challenges male victims often face in reporting sexual offences.

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