Gert Vertyn, a convicted rapist, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Sebokeng Magistrate's Court for raping an 18-year-old woman, police said on Tuesday.

On 25 February Vertyn (30) was found guilty of raping a woman in Ennerdale, south of Johannesburg, on 1 November 2007.

Vertyn had stopped a woman who was on her way to a friend's place and asked for R2.

"When the woman said she didn't have it, Vertyn overpowered her and searched her and found no money," said Constable Edwin Ntsheo.

He then pulled her to a nearby tree and raped her.

Vertyn was arrested near the Ennerdale shopping centre on 24 March 2008.

"In our view, this sentencing was a deterrent to send a warning to all rapists," said Ntsheo.