Gerhard Ackerman: Sex trafficker and pedophile sentenced to 12 life sentences
In the Gauteng High Court on Monday, Gerhard Ackerman received a verdict of 12 life sentences for over 700 charges linked to his operation of a child trafficking network.
The Gauteng High Court has handed sex trafficker Gerhard Ackerman twelve life sentences for the pedophilic offenses he oversaw and committed himself.
Judge Ismail Mahomed ordered these sentences to be served simultaneously and also banned Ackerman from working with children in the future.
BREAKING: Convicted child rapist and sec trafficked Gerhard Ackerman, who ran a child sex abuse ring in Johannesburg has been handed 12 life sentences for the rape and human trafficking of minors. pic.twitter.com/wKZmGeaF0F
— Alex Mitchley (@AlexMitchley) August 14, 2023
GERHARD ACKERMAN FOUND GUILTY OF MORE THAN 700 CHARGES
In the Gauteng High Court on Monday, Gerhard Ackerman received a verdict of 12 life sentences for over 700 charges linked to his operation of a child trafficking network.
IOL reports that he was sentenced on charges of rape, human trafficking, attempted murder and malicious damage to property.
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When delivering the sentence, Judge Mohamed stated that Ackerman’s life terms would result in him serving only one life sentence in prison.
Judge Mohamed also ruled that Ackerman is not suitable to be around children and noted his lack of remorse during the trial.
Judge Mohamed scolded Ackerman on Monday when he attempted to speak out in court by raising his hand.
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ACKERMAN FIRED HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ASKED FOR A RETRIAL
Judge Mohamed directed Ackerman to submit his request for a new trial to both the court and the State before November 15.
The hearing for the retrial motion is scheduled for November 30.
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CHARGES INCLUDE CHILD PORONGRAPHY, BENEFITING FROM HUMAN TRAFFICKING
The South African had previously reported that the court found Ackerman guilty of child pornography, benefiting from human trafficking and 253 charges.
The charges include rape, sexual exploitation of children, human trafficking, sexual grooming, and possession of child pornography.
Ackerman was charged alongside acting judge and senior advocate Paul Kennedy.
The two ran the human trafficking ring between September 2020 and July 2021, Kennedy has since died by suicide.
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Ismail said Ackerman was a “plainly evil man” who lured children and opened them up to abuse from other men for his own benefit in court on 14 August.