'Harsh sentence' imposed on rapist

Port Elizabeth police have welcomed the “harsh sentence” imposed on a rapist in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court this week.

Renne Peterson, 42, was sentenced to life behind bars.

Police spokeswoman Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the 35-year-old complainant was walking along a footpath in Bridgemead at 8am in May last year when she noticed Peterson.

“[Peterson] approached her and grabbed and dragged her into the bushes where he raped her several times. The complainant reported the rape at Kabega Park SAPS,” Janse van Rensburg said.

“The accused was positively identified during a photo identity parade. He was arrested in October 2015 and remained in custody until the finalisation of the case.”

The man was found guilty of rape in June and sentenced on Wednesday.

Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual offence unit commander Lieutenant Colonel Sanet Winter commended the investigating officer.

“It is a clear indication that the SAPS works hard to tackle crimes against women and children, as this remains one of our priorities. Thorough collection of crucial evidence is important for us to achieve convictions and heavy sentences for offenders,” Winter said.