Child rapist appeals sentence
A former teacher from Swakopmund who was sentenced to 21 years in prison for sexually abusing children between the ages of 13 and 15, knowing he was HIV positive, is now appealing part of his sentence.
Sedney S. Somseb (42) continuously sexually exploited minor children over a period of seven years (between 2011 and 2018). One of his minor victims became pregnant as a result of the rape.
At the start of his trial, Somseb pleaded guilty to one charge of rape, after which the Swakopmund Regional Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison in October last year.
He was also found guilty after his trial on four further charges of breaching the law against indecent acts and was consequently sentenced to another eight years in prison.
However, two years of the eight-year sentence were suspended and Somseb was effectively sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Somseb is now appealing the sentence in relation to the indecent acts charges and appeared in the Windhoek High Court on Wednesday for his appeal before judge Hosea Angula.
Appeal opposed
One of the grounds on which Somseb relies in his appeal application is that his sentence led to a feeling of shock. He also argued that the sentence was too punitive.
The State are opposing the appeal, arguing that Somseb's offences are of a serious nature.
The State also emphasised the fact that Somseb was in a position of trust as a teacher, that his victims were at a vulnerable age and that his offences had emotional and psychological repercussions for the children. They also pointed out that Somseb repeatedly sexually abused his victims and that it did not just happen once.
"He had sexual intercourse with his victims not just once, but on multiple occasions over a period of seven years," court documents emphasise.
The State therefore argued that the sentence of six and 15 years' imprisonment, ordered to be served consecutively, is appropriate and requested that the court dismiss the appeal application.
"The sentence imposed by the court is in accordance with justice, and the court did not err. Long sentences are a categorical imperative for those who rape young children,” the State argued in court papers filed on 11 January.
Somseb is married with three children and was 37 years old when he was arrested.
Sedney S. Somseb (42) continuously sexually exploited minor children over a period of seven years (between 2011 and 2018). One of his minor victims became pregnant as a result of the rape.
At the start of his trial, Somseb pleaded guilty to one charge of rape, after which the Swakopmund Regional Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison in October last year.
He was also found guilty after his trial on four further charges of breaching the law against indecent acts and was consequently sentenced to another eight years in prison.
However, two years of the eight-year sentence were suspended and Somseb was effectively sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Somseb is now appealing the sentence in relation to the indecent acts charges and appeared in the Windhoek High Court on Wednesday for his appeal before judge Hosea Angula.
Appeal opposed
One of the grounds on which Somseb relies in his appeal application is that his sentence led to a feeling of shock. He also argued that the sentence was too punitive.
The State are opposing the appeal, arguing that Somseb's offences are of a serious nature.
The State also emphasised the fact that Somseb was in a position of trust as a teacher, that his victims were at a vulnerable age and that his offences had emotional and psychological repercussions for the children. They also pointed out that Somseb repeatedly sexually abused his victims and that it did not just happen once.
"He had sexual intercourse with his victims not just once, but on multiple occasions over a period of seven years," court documents emphasise.
The State therefore argued that the sentence of six and 15 years' imprisonment, ordered to be served consecutively, is appropriate and requested that the court dismiss the appeal application.
"The sentence imposed by the court is in accordance with justice, and the court did not err. Long sentences are a categorical imperative for those who rape young children,” the State argued in court papers filed on 11 January.
Somseb is married with three children and was 37 years old when he was arrested.
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