Gerhard Ackerman, a notorious serial offender, was given 12 life sentences by the Johannesburg High Court for his vast history of sexual offenses against children in South Africa.
The 12 life sentences will run consecutively, according to Presiding Judge Mohamed Ismail’s decision, emphasizing the seriousness of Ackerman’s horrific crimes.
The court convicted Ackerman guilty of attempted murder and a number of sexual offenses against minors in a historic trial in April, with a primary focus on young boys.
Ackerman was found guilty of rape, human trafficking, the nefarious grooming of children, as well as the creation, possession, and distribution of child pornography, among other serious sexual offenses.
The court also revealed that Ackerman is now on trial for a different case of suspected child sexual assault.
The tragic death of Paul Kennedy, who was allegedly Ackerman’s accomplice, overshadowed the proceedings. Prior to the start of the trial in February 2022, Kennedy sadly committed suicide while serving as an attorney and acting judge.
Kennedy was accused of supporting Ackerman in running a horrific child sex abuse ring and of passing HIV to some of the youngsters that Ackerman had recommended to him.
A twist occurred after the sentencing when Ackerman took the unexpected action of firing his attorney. Speaking to the media, he vehemently defended his innocence from most, if not all, of the accusations made against him. Ackerman declared that he would ask for the case to be retried.
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