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Trial for previously convicted sex offender begins in Virginia Beach

Posted at 1:28 PM, Oct 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-25 22:57:36-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The second Virginia Beach trial for Lesiba Matsoake began Tuesday in circuit court.

Lesiba Simon Matsoake

Lesiba Simon Matsoake

He is facing numerous sexual assault charges against a woman who claims Matsoake sexually abused her on the 63rd Street beach at the oceanfront.

The victim was in the courtroom, surrounded by several supporters.

The victim was the first witness to testify. She told the courtroom, she was celebrating getting an acting gig the night of the alleged attack.

She said she had a few drinks, smoked marijuana, then went skinny dipping alone in the ocean.

She testified that Matsoake came out of nowhere, and approached her naked.

That's when, according to the victim, he pulled her to the sand, where waves crashed over her face.

She says he then sexually assaulted her.

Police where able to take a DNA sample, which matched with Matsoake.

Not long ago, Matsoake was tried, convicted and sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing another woman.

Before that, he was sentenced for another sexual assault in Dare County.

According to the Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, Matsoake went to South Africa in 2007. In 2012, authorities extradited him back to the United States.

During the first day of Tuesday's trial, attorneys spent several hours selecting a jury.

The court heard opening statements in the afternoon.

Matsoake's defense attorney told the courtroom they do not plan to provide any evidence.