Bishop Sinclair to appeal sentence
Westenburg pastor, Bishop Lucas Peter Sinclair was in November 2019 found guilty on two counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault. On Tuesday, Presiding Officer, Jane Ngobeni sentenced Sinclair to three six-year sentences.
POLOKWANE – Advocate Lot Ramusi, his lawyer, confirmed that Sinclair will appeal the judgement. He said Sinclair is to serve the sentences concurrently.
On Monday the Regional Court in Polokwane heard the final reports of the social worker and an additional witness was called to the box to clarify certain aspects. The social worker testified to the social, psychological and other trauma of the victims and how they are suffering still after their trauma. She later had to attend a similar case in Mankweng where she was to testify, and proceedings were postponed to later the day. The final judgment was postponed to Tuesday following the interruption earlier the day.
Sinclair was arrested in February 2016 on several counts of sexual assault and charges of public indecency. Following a series of alleged indecent acts, a number of women from his church community came forward. He was released on R5000 bail.
Read more: Bishop Sinclair found guilty of indecent assault
The charges against Sinclair later increased to seven: three counts of sexual assault and three of indecent assaults and an attempted sexual assault, all of which he pleaded not guilty to. He was initially arrested on four counts of sexual assault against women in his community but a fifth sexual assault charge was also laid against him following his arrest. The trial started on 3 March 2017.
Families of the victims had mixed feelings about him serving the sentences concurrently, but others said: “He is serving the sentences concurrently, but he is going down.” They were relieved that the case was over, but expected Sinclair might appeal.
