Hewitt reports to prison to start sentence

Former tennis star Bob Hewitt has started his prison sentence at St Albans Prison outside Port Elizabeth.

According to correctional services officials‚ Hewitt arrived before 7am on Tuesday and will be placed in a special section reserved for elderly and frail prisoners.

Earlier this month‚ the Constitutional Court dismissed the disgraced former South African doubles tennis champion’s application to challenge his conviction for rape and sexual assault.

The court rejected Hewitt ’s challenge on the grounds that it lacked prospects of success‚ meaning the former tennis great had exhausted all legal avenues of appeal.

Prior to lodging his appeal at the Constitutional Court‚ Hewitt had a similar application rejected by the Supreme Court of Appeal in June.

Hewitt‚ 76‚ had earlier been convicted on two counts of rape and a charge of sexual assault of minors‚ and sentenced to six years.

– TMG Digital/The Herald