The horror and trauma of being in Pollsmoor Prison, awaiting trial, has left him feeling like a ”piece of human garbage”, convicted paedophile Wiliam John Creasey told the Wynberg Regional Court on Tuesday.
After his tearful outbursts on Monday brought his trial to a halt, he assured defence attorney Van Zyl Loots that he was sufficiently recomposed to proceed with his testimony in mitigation of sentence.
Magistrate Susan Smith postponed the case to October 27 to give prosecutor Dawn Coleman time to prepare her cross-examination.
Creasey told the court he was ”desperately ashamed” of what he had done and that he was unable to quantify the shame he felt.
He added: ”I wish I could undo what I have done.”
He is to be sentenced on nine counts of indecent assault involving three teenage boys, and possession of child pornography.
He was a teacher at Grassy Park High School on the Cape Flats at the time of his arrest.
He was let off the hook for molesting a fourth teenager because the offence had happened too long ago.
Concerning this alleged incident, he told the court: ”I have recently met the victim and apologised to him, and he has indicated that he has forgiven me.”
Creasey told the court he had lost his teaching post since his arrest but because of his teaching talents he would teach adult education once he had paid his debt to society.
Asked about his paedophiliac affliction, he told the court: ”My experience in prison has left me feeling like a piece of human garbage, the rubbish of society.
”If given a chance, I will go for treatment, and can still make some kind of contribution to society.
”I deserve punishment, and that is why I feel like a piece of rubbish, but I need help and with help I can become a productive member of society again.” – Sapa