Convicted rapist Bob Hewitt released on parole after three year prison stint

Convicted rapist and former Grand Slam tennis champion Bob Hewitt was released on parole on Friday 24 April after serving just over three-and-a-half years behind bars. 

Hewitt, who was found guilty on two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in 2015, had seen his parole application deemed successful in March 2020 and will now return home. 

All three of his victims had been coached by the now 80-year-old in the 1980s and ‘90s. 

House arrest

He was sentenced to an effective six years behind bars and was imprisoned in September 2016.

Hewitt will serve his parole under house arrest and would not be allowed to contact the victims. All three of the women he preyed on had appealed his release, with Tania Koen, a lawyer representing one of his victims, saying in March that she had always feared this eventuality. 

“I have always prepared them [his victims] that at some point in time [Hewitt] would get parole. Although not entitled to it, he is still eligible,” Koen said.

Spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, Chrispin Phiri, said that he would continue to undergo rehabilitation procedures while under house arrest.

“Hewitt will complete the remainder of his sentence in the system of community corrections, whereby he must comply with specific set of conditions and will be subjected to correctional supervision until the sentence expires,” said Phiri.

“It is important to note that parole forms part of the total rehabilitation programme in correcting offending behaviour, and it  includes the continuation of programmes aimed at reintegration whilst in the system of community corrections,” he added.

Fall from grace 

Born in Australia, Hewitt and his wife moved to South Africa in the ‘70s. Having enjoyed a successful career as a pro, he moved into the coaching sphere and found a space where he could prey on young women. 

In 2011, The Boston Globe disclosed allegations from one adult woman who was coached as a girl by Hewitt’s assistant coach. She also claimed to have been sexually harassed and assaulted by the Tennis Hall of Famer. Further reports uncovered more allegations which led to a criminal investigation being opened.

In 2015, he was convicted on two counts of rape and one of sexual assault of minors by the South Gauteng High Court and was sentenced to an effective six years in jail. 

Hewitt was also removed from the International Tennis Hall of Fame.