SOUTH AFRICA
IOL
Latoya Newman
October 11 2005 at 03:23AM
A precedent was set at the Durban magistrate's court on Monday when a 76-year-old Roman Catholic priest was told he would stand trial for a rape he is alleged to have committed almost three decades ago.
In his ruling, magistrate Trevor Levitt said that although the priest's defence had argued prejudice should the man be forced to answer to the charges, he had found it "could hardly be classified as irreparable trial prejudice".
The Durban priest, who can only be named once he formally pleads to the rape charge, applied for a stay of prosecution more than a year ago. Court proceedings have been delayed owing to the man's frail health.