: Uncle (70) rapes mentally ill niece

Uncle (70) rapes mentally ill niece
================================================================================
The sunday mail on 06 February, 2010 01:06:00
 
The abuse, suspected to have taken place over a long period, only came to light
after a neighbour discovered that the woman was carrying a child.
The woman’s mother last week confirmed the case, which is now before the
police. It is understood the senior citizen admitted committing the offence, but
later bolted to an unknown destination after his niece’s father quizzed him.
The woman lived with her brother in Epworth where the uncle, who lives in the
same area, frequently visited her to carry out the abuse. Her father lives in
Waterfalls where he bought a new stand, while the mother is a cross-border
trader who is always away.
“The first time I noticed that the girl was pregnant was when I saw her womb
bulging out of her blouse,” said the neighbour, who refused to be named.
“As a neighbour who knew the girl’s condition, I took it upon myself to ask
the girl what was happening.”
The neighbour said she then became suspicious.
“The first person who came in my mind was that old uncle of hers, her
auntie’s husband, because he came several times to check on the girl,” she
said.
The woman’s father engaged the old man to talk to her about the pregnancy,
unbeknown to him that he was the one responsible.
The father was surprised when the old man, without first talking to the woman,
told him that his daughter was using family planning pills. This raised
eyebrows, leading to the father quizzing the old man.
“I asked him if he was responsible for the pregnancy and he admitted
responsibility,” said the father.
“I just thought that we could solve the matter as relatives, but unfortunately
he is running away from her.”
The father said the pregnancy was between six and seven months old. The woman
revealed that her uncle had sexually abused her several times.