FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKETER JAILED FOR RAPE AND ASSAULT
A FORMER professional cricketer has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for rape.Father-of-three Dion Taljard, an ex-first class South Africa player, was found guilty of 19 counts of rape, as well as two counts of indecent assault by a jury following a trial last month.
He was also convicted of one count of witness intimidation at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court.
The 47-year-old, who had denied all wrongdoing, played professional cricket in South Africa for Border, and in the UK for various clubs including Tonge Cricket Club in Bolton, Unsworth Cricket Club in Bury, and Royton Cricket Club in Oldham.
Prosecutor Nicholas Clarke told how Taljard’s victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffers from nightmares and has sought counselling after the offences, which included sexual assaults spanning over 10 years, with the victim experiencing threats and physical violence such as being held by the throat until passing out, and injurious acts like bending her arm painfully.
The victim, who also attempted to take her own life, came forward three years after the assaults ended.
During the sentencing, Judge Maurice Greene described Taljard as a ‘serial rapist’ and highlighted testimonials praising his trustworthiness, honesty, and decency, despite his criminal actions.
The judge clarified that Taljard was not considered a ‘dangerous offender,’ and ordered him to sign the sex offenders register for life and serve half his sentence in prison with ongoing supervision after release.
