Child-porn video evidence plays a pivotal role in Leano Vergotine's trial
Leano Vergotine hides his face away
Image: Tracy-Lynn Ruiters
With video evidence continuing to dominate proceedings in the Western Cape High Court, currently sitting in the Wynberg Regional Court, in the child rape and child pornography case of Leano Vergotine, the defence attorney Nawaal Abduragmaan appeared limited in the arguments available to challenge the State’s case.
During closing arguments, Abduragmaan focused largely on disputing technical aspects of several charges while repeatedly acknowledging the existence of video evidence presented before court.
Addressing count one, Abduragmaan rejected witness allegations that Vergotine kicked and stepped on the complainant.
Instead, she argued that her client only smacked the complainant and requested that the court consider convicting him on common assault rather than assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
The defence also disputed allegations that Vergotine anally penetrated child complainant one, arguing instead that the penetration was vaginal.
Leano Vergotine is facing a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.
Image: Supplied
However, Abduragmaan acknowledged that medical evidence presented before court confirmed injuries to the child’s anus.
On count 12, relating to child complainant two, Abduragmaan argued that there was no medical evidence directly linking the allegations to anal penetration.
Despite this, she conceded that video evidence linked to the charge existed before court.
The court also heard submissions regarding count 13 involving allegations of sexual grooming.
Abduragmaan asked the court to provide interpretation and clarity on the legal meaning of the word “grooming”.
Regarding counts 16 and 17, Abduragmaan informed the court that Vergotine had refused to testify in relation to the allegations.
However, she again noted that video evidence formed part of the State’s case on those counts.
Another issue argued during proceedings related to the alleged duplication of charges involving child complainant two.
Abduragmaan submitted that some of the charges appeared repetitive or the same.
However, State Prosecutor Renee Uys explained that the charges stemmed from multiple videos allegedly involving child complainant two, all recorded on the same day using one device.
The 41-year-old Vergotine from Ceres is facing 18 charges, including rape, kidnapping, assault, and several child pornography-related offences.
The State alleges that Vergotine targeted a number of minors in separate incidents.
Prosecutors claim he kidnapped and raped a 16-year-old girl in September 2022, raped a 15-year-old boy while allegedly filming the attack,and groomed and raped a nine-year-old child on multiple occasions.
The trial continues on 28 May.