A man has been sentenced to six years in prison after admitting to having sexual intercourse with his 14-year-old stepdaughter, resulting in her pregnancy.
Justice Ann Marie Smith imposed the sentence in the High Court after the accused, who cannot be identified to protect the victim’s identity, pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual intercourse with a stepchild.
The court heard that between July and August 2021, the then 37-year-old man had sexual intercourse with the teenager, who later became pregnant. At the time, he was married to the girl’s mother.
The matter came to the attention of authorities after the victim’s school reported the pregnancy to police in November 2021. Investigators were initially given false information about the identity of the child’s father, but subsequent inquiries determined those accounts were untrue.
Police intercepted the accused at the airport in December 2021 as he attempted to leave the country.
He denied any knowledge of who had fathered the child.
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He should rotten in prison! How the heck can this judge give him six years? Antigua is not a real country!
Man should have gotten much more than that!
Sooo……. the mother did not even report it. My goodness! That girl did not even get the protection she deserved from even the person was was expected to do that. I hope she gets all the mental help needed. SIX YEARS for RAPING a CHILD, for getting her PREGNANT, and for trying to ABSCOND from the law. Just wow!.
This island seems to be populated by some of the worst humans imaginable. Antigua has become an absolute shit hole.
These behavioural issues has been going on for decades and will never stop until stricter measures are being implemented. If you know how many of these men in this country are involved in all kinds of sexual escapade with underaged girls it would sicken you. The government needs to implement the sexual offenders registry. Shame these monsters. It’s revolting what’s happening, this needs to stop. Protect the youths man
Dear Anansi,
This is a thoughtful response. I’ve refined it to make it more balanced, compassionate, and impactful while preserving your message.
I agree that this nation is home to individuals with perverse intentions and people who have little regard for the laws that govern our land. However, I encourage us to be cautious with our words.
Words have the power to build up or tear down, to bless or to curse.
Yes, troubling things happen within our shores. Yet, despite our challenges, there is still much good among our people, and there are many nations facing circumstances far worse than our own.
As we discuss these incidents, let us be careful not to make broad accusations against an entire population because of the actions of a few. Accountability belongs to the offender. Responsibility belongs to the offender. Justice should be directed toward those who commit the wrongdoing, not indiscriminately toward everyone around them.
.
.
.
My heart especially goes out to that young lady.
I pray she finds healing.
I pray she finds peace.
I pray that what happened to her does not define her, diminish her, or rob her of the purpose God has placed upon her life. May she rise above the trauma and discover that her future is still filled with hope.
And to mothers, guardians, and caregivers: be vigilant.
Not everyone who gains access to your life has pure intentions. Some individuals carefully cultivate trust in order to gain access to the vulnerable. Wisdom, discernment, and vigilance are not signs of paranoia—they are acts of protection.
Protect your children.
Listen to them.
Believe them when they speak.
And create an environment where they know they can come to you without fear.
Our children deserve to grow up safe, protected, and loved.
Question did she give birth to the baby dats all I’m asking
Mothers, be mindful and careful of the kinds of men that you harbour and bring around your children. Too many folks putting their significant others ahead of their children! He is darn lucky to get away with just six years in prison.
Notice the women in Antigua have a style for meet men on the road and 2 weeks after meeting u see them have the man in the house round them pickney
40 years
A mere 6 years??????
A mere 6 years??????
A mere 6 years??????
I note with interest the two differing viewpoints from @Anansi and @Broaden Your Horizon.
Both have very valid views, however, more balance in their replies – in my opinion – is needed to resolve and protect underage girls, without a shadow of doubt in Antigua.
@Anansi is correct in the “populated” growth of these types of heinous crimes, but Antigua is not ‘an absolute shit hole’ as he so strongly puts it.
And on the other side of this forthright debate, @Broaden explains, and rightly so, that a more “balanced” viewpoint is required. However, her debate becomes slightly flawed when she comes across as reluctant in pushing for the authorities to tackle this serious issue head-on.
Yes, as parents we must always be vigilant in protecting our children, as @Broaden so rightly puts it, but when it goes wrong the authorities must act swiftly and decisively.
Adult men are for deviant reasons targeting our young girls; and sadly has been tip-toed around for far too long in the country.
The relevant authorities should do more…
Good!! Let it be a lesson to others. Hopefully more victims of this type come forward in order for justice to be served.
6 years smh this is y our young girl will always be violated by them dog them call men no hash penalty
Why hasn’t anyone mentioned that we have a pedophile running our country 🤔
The fish sticks from the head!
This is sickening now. SIX YEARS??? REALLY??? I don’t know where we are getting our judiciary but they are not fit for purpose.
UPP’s CONVICTED PEDOPHILE, IAN “MAGIC” HUGHES needs to use his time slot on Observer Rsdio with Dave Lester Psyne to speak out against this type of behavior.
Crusader Radio has no reach.
Why this man did not get 40yrs consecutive
What are the guidelines for sentencing for (a) rape,
(b) Pedophilia
(c) Attempting to flee the jurisdiction to avoid a trial.
Did he plead guilty?
Should there be any kind of protection for the perpetrator of such a heinous crime?
How is it that the mother was unaware of her child’s pregnancy?
Why did it take the school to make the report? I am very happy that they did.
There are so many questions.
Six years…not enough.
What kinda foolishness is this? the judge must be drunk or high or something cause what the hell six year could do?? that judge got paid cause this can’t be normal ..How a mature man had sex with an underage child and still got SIX(6) YRS???? WHAAAAAAATT??? This judge forget to put the(0) on the 6 ..that judge is useless ooh
Dear all,
As much as I strongly disagree with the sentence given for this crime, the fact remains that the Sexual Offences Act 1995 S 9 ss 1 is clear on the sentences available; in this instance, a child under 16 but 14 or over who was raped by a step parent means a possible maximum sentence of 15 years. However, these sentences must be applied in line with the sentencing protocols per the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) Sentencing Guidelines.
Hypothetically, if the defendant was in custody since he was picked up in 2021, then time served would be deducted from his sentence. The fact that he admitted the offence means a further third of the sentence would be deducted. The defendant probably received a year for attempting to abscond which results in the 6 years. Although the sentencing feel unjust, it is in line with the legal rules. Please note that similar guidelines exist in countries around the globe and our legal system is very closely based on that of the UK. SO, before we critique the judiciary, perhaps familiarise yourself with the rules that regulate how sentences are calculated. Furthermore, the newspaper should have included this explanation as part of their reporting as this would be the best way to ensure that readers understand how this sentence came about. Outrage without information is not helpful and not responsible journalism. National newspapers, please do better!
Judges like this why men be in prison happy like they did nothing wrong to be in there in the first place..how could he/she sleep at night knowing you just given a pedophile 6 yrs in prison..so you didn’t think he’ll be out soon and will do the same thing to another child? I wonder if that judge hot daughters,grand daughters,nieces,sisters,little baby cousins?? huh? I must say you’re a disgrace to your country,to my country and other countries..you don’t deserve to be a judge ,you’re just a civilian wearing a borrowed cloth..you’re a failure,you failed every young girls ..if you were their last hope ,they all will be DOOMED!! I WISH I CAN SEE YOUR HIDIOUS FACE
OMG SHES PREGNANT FOR GOD SAKE😡😡 what the mother gotta say about this? what’s going on to these nasty men?? judge whatever your face name..why you so fool fool?(;_:)(;_:) You need to do BETTER!!
Like I said before..not one policy or law has been implemented by this administration to protect and help the youths of Antigua, especially the young girls, nothing.
Rape and child molestation has been a serious problem in Antigua and by extension the Carribean and the world, and this administration in twelve years have not changed any laws that reflects their concern for the young.
6 years, is anyone supprised? Mandatory sentencing should have been a thing a long time ago, but no,we are more concerned about the image we present to the world, instead of facing the facts that we have a serious problem as a society. The government certainly can’t stop crime totally, but what they can do is to send a serious message, but all we have gotten, are people walking free and a slap on the wrist for those who gets caught.
This rapist will be back out in 4 years or less with good behavior, to do it all over again.
Copy cat crimes only goes up when the punishment is weak. In the Arab countries, this man would have been a dead man, but here in the islands, we call in it inhumane to sentence people..give me a break.
I feel sorry for the victim but it’s time we start exposing these scumbags by publishing their names. They should cut off his tone in prison
He should’ve gotten 60 years instead. Those animans
This man deserves to die
6 years to eat my tax money, I need to deal with this piece of junk , im so angry having these predators after these children only God and I know what I would do with this man. I think too much of these predators around getting away with this act , you married to the mother and riding the step daughter,what kind of dog are you , you deserve torturing to the max murder she wrote you are one of those who need to be taken out 😈😈😈👿😈
Is it a fact that the mother was compliant because it’s normal within her culture?
In the prostitution culture mothers do sacrifice and sell their children to the highest bidder..
Antiguans just need to get their heads out of the sand like ostrich’s and accept what is known on the streets, in the churches in the private and public sector too, and this is PEDOPHILLIA is an accepted habit in many sectors of society.
In case you have any doubts go to the record keepers at the Social Departments, the family Court and the other Courts.
@JP Worst, I’ve been screaming from the rooftops for years that Antigua’s judiciary removes itself from the UK’s over imposing Judiciary/Privy Counsel.
As you rightly put it “…our legal system is very closely based on that of the UK”.
And too close in my humble opinion.
So isn’t it time that our judiciary aligned itself more with the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)?
I also note with interest that you mention some legal terms in regards to sentencing guidelines, as to why the accused charges were much reduced; but, surely the reverse should apply for the underage victim’s prosecuting team be allowed to increase the sentence as well for such a terrible crime?
The current judiciary system seems more geared in favour towards the perpetrator than the targeted victim.
Once again, just my humble opinion…
JP – I beg to disagree with you. There is no guidelines that suggest that people has to be given short or shorter sentences for not wasting the court time. The Judges making huge mistakes in giving very short sentences because someone committed a horrible crime and walk into court and say sorry I am guilty.
The first time I can remember that I heard and took offense to this was the Murder of the insurance guy Browne at McPond All Saints. By this Suriname murderer nickname Red Rat . This guy entered Mr.Brown house and was stealing when he returned home. Red Rat murdered Mr.Browne in his house. Stabbed him to death – he was still a young man.
Red Rat walked into Antigua High court and at the beginning of the court pleaded guilty. He was given a very short sentence for not wasting the court time.
I can remember around the same time another guy from the same village had raped his X girlfriend and baby mother. At the time of the trial they were back together and started a family. The young lady told the court that she could not recall anything. She was threatened by the court. This guy received if my memory serves me right, more than Twice times the jail sentence than Red Rat .
Red Rat served a very short time and was deported back to his country.
Later the Caribbean appeal court threw away the rape case , for forcing the victim to remember. Even with thd shorter sentence he served almost the same time as Red Rat . Time arrested before case and the lengthy process to get an appeal.
We need to really look at our judicial system.
protecting children must always be a priority. That is why we need to see the young man’s face
Totally disgusting
I dont believe our justice system truly understands how devastation these situation can be on these individuals. Six years is not enough
wicked son of a gun death to you
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