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| {{Short description|South African former bishop}} | |||
| '''Lucas Peter Sinclair''' is a South African former South African bishop who served as a religious leader in the ] community for over three decades. In 2019, he was convicted of multiple charges of indecent and sexual assault, leading to significant controversy and repercussions within his community. | |||
| {{More citations|date=December 2024}} | |||
| '''Lucas Peter Sinclair''' (born 1950 or 1951)<ref name="police">{{cite web |title=Former bishop slapped with long jail terms |url=https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=25405 |website=South African Police Service |access-date=25 December 2024 |date=26 March 2020}}</ref> is a South African former bishop who served as a religious leader in ] for over three decades. In 2019, he was convicted of multiple charges of indecent and sexual assault. | |||
| == |
== Career == | ||
| Sinclair became a prominent figure in the Westenburg area of ], South Africa, where he served as a bishop in the Bethel Church for over 30 years. He was a trusted member of the church.<ref name="guilty" /> Sinclair took over one of the churches established by ] upon Louton's death in 1985, claiming it had been left to him. However, a lack of clarity in Louton's will caused a prominent dispute between Sinclair and the Louton family, including his son ]. | |||
| == |
== Legal issues == | ||
| Sinclair was arrested in February 2016 following allegations of sexual misconduct from female members in his church.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bishop Sinclair found guilty of indecent assault |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/news-headlines/2019/11/08/bishop-sinclair-found-guilty-indecent-assault/ |website=Polokwane Observer |access-date=25 December 2024 |date=8 November 2019}}</ref> His victims were between the ages of 14 and 19.<ref name="police" /> He was released on a ]5000 bail. Sinclair was later charged with three counts of sexual assault, three counts of indecent assaults and an attempted sexual assault; he ]ded not guilty to all charges.<ref name="guilty">{{cite web |title=Bishop Sinclair says he’s not guilty |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/news-headlines/2017/03/08/bishop-sinclair-says-hes-not-guilty/ |website=Polokwane Observer |access-date=25 December 2024 |date=8 March 2017}}</ref> His trial commenced on March 3, 2017. Sinclair was found guilty on November 5, 2019 and sentenced to 24 years of imprisonment for all charges.<ref name="police" /> | |||
| === Initial Arrest === | |||
| Sinclair was arrested in February 2016 following allegations of sexual misconduct. Initially, he faced four charges of sexual assault, which later increased to seven counts as more survivors came forward. The charges included: | |||
| * Sexual assault | |||
| * Indecent assault | |||
| * Attempted sexual assault<ref name="CitizenMarch2020">{{cite web |title=Bishop Sinclair announces appeal after conviction |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/news-headlines/2020/03/25/bishop-sinclair-appeal-sentence |publisher=The Citizen |date=25 March 2020}}</ref> | |||
| == References == | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| The trial began on 3 March 2017 in Polokwane, during which multiple women from Sinclair's congregation testified against him. Their accounts detailed years of abuse and manipulation, leading to widespread condemnation of Sinclair’s actions.<ref name="ReviewMarch2017">{{cite web |title=Sinclair trial commences with emotional testimonies |url=https://www.reviewonline.co.za/news |publisher=Review Online |date=March 2017}}</ref> | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Sinclair, Lucas Peter}} | |||
| On 8 November 2019, Sinclair was convicted on four charges: | |||
| ] | |||
| * Two counts of indecent assault | |||
| ] | |||
| * Two counts of sexual assault<ref name="CitizenNov2019">{{cite web |title=Bishop Sinclair found guilty of indecent assault |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/news-headlines/2019/11/08/bishop-sinclair-found-guilty-indecent-assault |publisher=The Citizen |date=8 November 2019}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| == Sentencing == | |||
| In March 2020, Sinclair was sentenced to three six-year prison terms, to run concurrently. The presiding officer, Jane Ngobeni, emphasized the gravity of the offenses and the breach of trust involved. Sinclair announced his intention to appeal both his conviction and sentence.<ref name="CitizenMarch2020" /> | |||
| == Community impact == | |||
| The allegations and subsequent conviction of Sinclair shocked the Westenburg community, where he had been a trusted religious leader. The case highlighted the vulnerability of congregants and the need for safeguards within religious organizations to prevent abuse of power. It also drew attention to broader issues of accountability and misconduct within faith-based institutions in South Africa.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sinclair case prompts calls for reform in religious institutions |url=https://www.southafricaherald.org |publisher=South Africa Herald |date=2020}}</ref> | |||
| == Current status == | |||
| As of December 2024, no updates on Sinclair's appeal have been made public. His case remains one of the most high-profile instances of misconduct involving a religious leader in South Africa. | |||
| == References == | |||
| <references /> | |||
Revision as of 12:13, 25 December 2024
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Lucas Peter Sinclair (born 1950 or 1951) is a South African former bishop who served as a religious leader in Westenburg for over three decades. In 2019, he was convicted of multiple charges of indecent and sexual assault.
Career
Sinclair became a prominent figure in the Westenburg area of Polokwane, South Africa, where he served as a bishop in the Bethel Church for over 30 years. He was a trusted member of the church. Sinclair took over one of the churches established by A. G. Louton upon Louton's death in 1985, claiming it had been left to him. However, a lack of clarity in Louton's will caused a prominent dispute between Sinclair and the Louton family, including his son Edgar.
Legal issues
Sinclair was arrested in February 2016 following allegations of sexual misconduct from female members in his church. His victims were between the ages of 14 and 19. He was released on a R5000 bail. Sinclair was later charged with three counts of sexual assault, three counts of indecent assaults and an attempted sexual assault; he pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial commenced on March 3, 2017. Sinclair was found guilty on November 5, 2019 and sentenced to 24 years of imprisonment for all charges.
References
- ^ "Former bishop slapped with long jail terms". South African Police Service. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ "Bishop Sinclair says he's not guilty". Polokwane Observer. 8 March 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- "Bishop Sinclair found guilty of indecent assault". Polokwane Observer. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 25 December 2024.