Gaston Hilton James, a 38-year-old man from Barkly West, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for the rape of his partner. The sentence was handed down at the Barkly West Regional Court on Friday, 24 February 2023.
Sgt Timothy Sam, a police spokesperson, said James was given 12 years for one count of rape and an additional year for contravention of a protection order. Both sentences will run concurrently.
According to Sgt Sam, James assaulted and raped his male partner, who is 40-years-old, between 22 December 2021 and 04 January 2022. After committing the crime, James went into hiding until he was traced and arrested on 30 January 2022.
The investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Daniel Satiesfied, indicated that he was motivated to ensure that justice was served as the case involved members of the LGBTQI+ community. This case highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable members of society and ensuring that perpetrators of gender-based violence are dealt with harshly.
Lt Colonel Marli Strydom, the Galeshewe FCS Unit Commander, applauded Detective Warrant Officer Daniel Satiesfied for his thorough investigation and for ensuring that justice was served. She further emphasized that such perpetrators must be held to account for their actions, even if their victims belong to minority groups.
The sentence given to James sends a strong message that gender-based violence will not be tolerated in our society. It also serves as a reminder that members of the LGBTQI+ community should be able to live their lives without fear of assault or discrimination.
Tags: Barkly West