Intro:

A judge in South Africa has granted former Grand Slam doubles tennis champion Bob Hewitt the right to appeal his six-year sentence for rape and sexual assault.

Script:

Former tennis player Bob Hewitt will be allowed to appeal his six-year sentence for rape and sexual assault, with his bail extended until a decision by South Africa's supreme court. 

Judge Bert Bam would not allow the 75-year-old to appeal his guilty conviction but said that another court may hand Hewitt a different sentence based on his age, poor health and the fact that the assaults happened in the 1980s and 1990s.

A friend of one of his victims thinks that is disgusting.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Natalie Wheble, Friend of victims: 

"Obviously we were with Twiggy at school. We've kind of ridden the road with her. It is completely unfair that you are asking a child to remember and then trying to penalise her as an adult and we can't say how disappointed we are. At least, his bail should have been revoked, while he spend as much time as he wants furthering his appeal process. Absolutely unfair, and disgusting."

Australian-born Hewitt was found guilty of two charges of rape and one of indecent assault, which were brought by three women he once coached.