Former tennis champion Hewitt still on bail, seeks to appeal rape conviction and prison term

Retired tennis player Bob Hewitt walks into the dock before the start of his appeal at the high court in Pretoria, South Africa Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Judge Bert Bam on Monday sentenced Hewitt to eight years in jail for two counts of rape, with two years suspended. He also sentenced Hewitt to two years in prison for a third charge of sexual assault. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) (The Associated Press)

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Retired tennis player Bob Hewitt leaves the court after his appeal was postponed at the high court in Pretoria, South Africa Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Judge Bert Bam on Monday sentenced Hewitt to eight years in jail for two counts of rape, with two years suspended. He also sentenced Hewitt to two years in prison for a third charge of sexual assault. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) (The Associated Press)

Retired tennis player Bob Hewitt, left, chats with his wife, Delaille, in the court room ahead his appeal at the high court in Pretoria, South Africa Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Judge Bert Bam on Monday sentenced Hewitt to eight years in jail for two counts of rape, with two years suspended. He also sentenced Hewitt to two years in prison for a third charge of sexual assault. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) (The Associated Press)

A South African judge has extended the bail of retired doubles tennis champion Bob Hewitt, who wants to appeal his conviction for raping and sexually assaulting minors in the 1980s and 1990s.

Judge Bert Bam on Tuesday ordered that Hewitt, who was sentenced to six years in prison on Monday, be confined to his home until a June 19 hearing on whether he can appeal his conviction and sentence.

Bam says he is allowing time for Hewitt's new lawyer to review case records.

Theresa Tolken, one of Hewitt's accusers, says the defense team is trying to delay the legal process to keep the former Tennis Hall of Famer out of prison.

Under Bam's ruling, 75-year-old Hewitt can only leave his home in South Africa's Eastern Cape province for medical appointments.

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