Rape accused takes up Bible studies

Modelling agency boss Dawie de Villiers, who faces a string of charges including rape and possession of child porn, on Wednesday testified that he was on the brink of completing a degree in Bible studies.

Testifying in his own defence in the High Court sitting in Palm Ridge, he said he had worked in the retail industry for years, ventured into tourism, and studied behavioural science.

He published a few papers, which led to him being called in to assist during the Miss South Africa pageant.

He claimed to be the most recognised modelling coach in the country.

De Villiers, who owns modelling company Modelling South Africa, faces charges including rape, sexual assault, indecent assault, sexual grooming, compelled self-sexual assault, intimidation, fraud and possession and accessing of child pornography.

He allegedly raped and sexually violated several teenage girls between 2011 and 2012.

Judge Cassim Moosa discharged counts of indecent assault, crimen injuria, sexual assault and grooming, and fraud – mainly because witnesses did not testify.

De Villiers denied the testimony of one witness who claimed he tried to kiss her while helping her get into position during a photo shoot.

"Did you at any stage hold her body against the wall and try to kiss her?" De Villiers' lawyer Jacques Pienaar asked him.

"No," De Villiers replied.

The trial continues.

 

Source: News24

 

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