The convicted child abuser, Jonathan Fernando Cupido, is set to hear his fate on March 17.

Cupido went on the run in February last year after he was caught on CCTV brutally beating and repeatedly kicking the child, the son of a visiting friend, in the driveway and garden of the complex.

An extensive manhunt was launched, and he was eventually found hiding out at a house in Randfontein.

Cupido appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Friday, February 20, for his pre-sentencing hearing, where sentencing was expected to be carried out as well.

Also read: Florida child abuser pleads guilty

However, a report from the Department of Corrections required by the presiding magistrate for the pre-sentencing procedure was still outstanding.

The state prosecutor informed Magistrate Van Niekerk that the report would only be available by March 10, whereupon a decision was made to postpone the case, thereby allowing enough time for the report to be considered.

The Roodepoort Record spoke to family members of the victim in court, who say they are relieved the process is nearly over.

“It’s been a long time and many court appearances, and as a family, we are emotionally drained. We look forward to closing this chapter of our lives and to beginning to finally heal.”