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Outrage as Man Gets Two-Year Sentence for Raping Disabled Teen in Antigua
Disability rights advocates are calling for a retrial and tougher sentencing after a man was given just two years in prison for raping a 14-year-old girl with a developmental disability.
Durquan Yearwood was convicted in November 2024 for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. The incident occurred in January 2022, when the girl, described as functioning below her age level due to learning and developmental delays, was found inside Yearwood’s apartment.
According to reports presented in court, the child was seen adjusting her clothing when a person searching for her arrived at the apartment. The full details later emerged after her siblings were overheard speaking about the incident, prompting a confrontation with her mother.
Despite Yearwood initially denying the allegations, a jury found him guilty. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 10 years for the offence, but Yearwood was sentenced to two years.
The Antigua and Barbuda Association of Disabled People says the sentence sends a dangerous message about how the justice system views crimes against persons with disabilities.
“He raped a child with an intellectual disability,” said disability rights advocate Joshua Net Francis.
“She could not fully understand what was happening to her. And he only got two years. That is a disgrace.”
Francis, who has long campaigned for justice reform, described the outcome as a “blatant disregard for the lives and dignity of people with disabilities.”
“A child cannot consent. A disabled child is even more vulnerable,” she said. “This judgment tells us we are not seen. We are not heard.”
Bernard Warner, President of the Antigua and Barbuda Association of Disabled People, also expressed deep disappointment with the court’s ruling.
“The system has failed this child. It has failed every disabled person in Antigua,” Warner said. “She was raped, and the courts handed down a sentence that does not reflect the brutality or the long-term trauma of the crime.”
Warner also pointed to what he described as disparities in sentencing. He referenced another case involving a half-brother of Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who was sentenced to over 20 years in prison for raping two minors.
“How can you explain such a short sentence in this case? The victim here is disabled, and Yearwood had access to her through his connection to a special needs centre,” Warner said. “This was an abuse of trust and power.”
The Association is now planning a public protest and is demanding a retrial.
“We will rally the public in the coming weeks,” Warner announced. “This isn’t political. It’s about standing up for the most vulnerable. This girl deserved better.”
The case has renewed public scrutiny of how the justice system handles sexual offences involving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Advocates argue that, despite existing legal protections, enforcement and sentencing often fall short.
Global studies show that people with disabilities are significantly more likely to be victims of sexual violence. Yet campaigners say their cases are often downplayed in court.
“Are we telling victims to stay silent? Because this judgment suggests that even when you speak out, justice won’t come,” said Francis.
Both Francis and Warner are urging the Director of Public Prosecutions to review the matter and explore the legal options available.
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Yeh I mean come on. People found with illegal firearms get more time that a rapist?
I mean make the damn thing make sense.
The DPP should appeal the sentence
what is it that these grown men find so fascinating in having anything to do with young girls .A bus man just got double time for two of them..the men themselves also have a problem
Amazing how you guys follow these cases closely and keep us updated on every matter. All these reading I can no longer deal with. I don’t find we get much information in reading these videos are just the way to go. Yes I find that this is injustice. 2 years for raping a disable minor is like a slap on the risk. If she agreed to sex, she did so not knowing what it meant, I’m sure she can’t even agree and he use that disabled child body as his own sex tool. The system has failed every abused child I know in this country
As a Warner said, Yearwood. The last name send more than just a buzz. Isn’t this a popular and powerful last name in the island? Hmmm, little more he wasn’t sent behind bars at all. I hope the men deal with him up there.
This needs to be revised. I don’t understand how a man gets two years for raping a minor. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RETRIAL
I’ll never stop wondering how a man gets 3.5 years for gun and a man gets 2 years for raping, not only a minor but a disable minor. The system in Antigua is trash
Goat lucky is in charge……but God the alllllllmighty is not sleeping He is watching and we all gonna reap our JUST reward I stand in solidarity with the association this needs to be reviewed.
This is just ridiculous
If THIS is Our JUSTICE SYSTEM…….. SOMETHING IS WRONG ……
…….. TO SAVE OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM …. Some AUTHORITY had BETTER DO SOMETHING to Review THIS CASE…. And COMPARE THIS SENTENCE with Other Sentences handed down for RAPE OF SIMILAR AGED MINORS ….
…….. Please Please Please SAVE ANU/BAR’S 🇦🇬. JUSTICE SYSTEM PLEASE!!!! 🥲🥲🥲😞😞😞😢😢😢😭….
I always find that there was something strange about that sentencing. Two years for raping a disabled child is surly not enough time
When the Prime Minister calls out the judges on being to lenient with sentencing and criminals are back on the street so quickly, the opposition and many of the legal fraternity accuse him of meddling in the judiciary. But now what do people say. He should not voice his opinion when he sees something is so wrong. Or it’s becasue he says it. So they don’t want him to be the messenger. What a thing.
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