Hewitt finally appears in court

Rape accused former tennis doubles champion Bob Hewitt finally appeared for the first time in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court on Friday (06/06/2014), The Star newspaper reported.

The matter was set down for trial in February next year.

Hewitt, 74, faces two charges of rape. One of the alleged rapes took place in Boksburg in 1982, the other at Sun City in 1981. Both of his alleged victims were 16 at the time. He also faces a charge of indecent assault.

According to the newspaper, Hewitt, aided by a walking stick, appeared frail as he walked to the court on Friday morning, where his lawyer Alwyn Griebenow told media to back off.

After proceedings, Hewitt was escorted from the courtroom.

He missed his previous court appearances, starting in October last year, because he was ill, Griebenow said. - Sapa