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(CMC) — A Bahamas High Court judge has sentenced a 59-year-old deacon to 20 years in jail after he was found guilty of molesting a 10-year-old girl two years ago.
The prosecution had sought a 15 to 30 year jail sentence.
Justice Dale Fitzpatrick handed down the ruling to the man, who showed no emotion and whose identity has not been disclosed in order to protect the child’s identity. The convicted man maintained his innocence despite the unanimous guilty verdict of the nine-member jury.
The court heard that in January and February 2023, the convict, then 56, raped the child on three separate occasions in his bedroom while his wife, who has limited mobility due to a stroke, was in another room.
He was arrested after a school’s guidance counsellor alerted authorities.
The man was convicted of two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a dependent on May 9. The victim had been living with the convict and his wife, her maternal aunt, following her mother’s death.
Justice Fitzpatrick, in his ruling, noted the prevalence of sexual offences against young children.
“There is a problem with the frequency of these types of crimes in this community, requiring a message of deterrence and denunciation by the courts.”
Defence lawyer Dorsey McPhee had called for a non-custodial sentence, telling the court that his client was the caretaker for his wife and his mother, who is going blind.
Referring to his role as a deacon in the church, the man suggested that he could serve as a mentor to young men.
But Justice Fitzpatrick said it was commendable that the man “embraced the teachings of the Bible”.
“I know the Bible also talks about the Lord and Saviour Jesus’ affinity for children. He cherished children, recognising their innocence and trust and bringing no harm on them.
“We are dealing with an extremely vulnerable victim, a 10-year-old who was preyed on by a 56-year-old she considered as her father. That relationship should be one of safety and security. Anal penetration of your child is breach of trust,” Justice Fitzpatrick said.
The sentence will take effect from the date of conviction, and the man will receive credit for the two months he spent on remand before he was granted bail.
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Sin is prevalent in this country. Time for the government to go.
Which government?
You realize this happened in the Bahamas?
Be specific please.
Dem ah de kinda sudden arwe want round ya, hole tun a big man wouldda go ah jail
@ Sandra
It’s something he posts all the time. Best to ignore it.
@ ignore,
Thanks for letting me know.🤔
Antigua full a such men like these..throwing their money at the mothers to keep them quiet.
Many mothers in Antigua needs to sit behind bars as well, because many of them have sold out their daughters for a few pieces of silver as well.
Many mothers in Antigua, and infact throughout the Caribbean, had their first child at a very young age because of this purversive act. The nastiness was introduced to the Caribbean by the slave masters, and it is still a dirty curse that still stains our society.
If Antigua was a real place, scores of members and supporters of the present leadership would’ve graced 1735. Some would be on remand, some would presently be serving their sentences, some would’ve already died in prison, some released and still in society after serving their sentences or died after doing their time and released. Does anyone remember the Bruck Foot Industry of the late 1970’s through the 80’s? It even continued through the 2000’s with Little Kim as the well-known victim.
@rovi
U really gat time
That person who said he could be a mentor to YOUNG boys MUST NEED ADMISSION TO SANDILANDS
Pedophilia (and sex with animals) is an illness. How can we cure it? Men talk to someone. Pastors please pray HARD. Women ensure that your sons do not ‘fool other women off’ in an effort to hide this illness.
And yes alot of our known personalities like dem young, so yes we need more psychiatrists!!!
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