(BVI Platinum News) Derick Cort, 47, the Guyanese who was found guilty of raping his ex girlfriend was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Justice Indra Hariprashad Charles yesterday morning.
Earlier in the month, a nine-member jury unanimously found Cort guilty of raping his 43-year-old ex girlfriend on August 6, 2008 at her Virgin Gorda apartment.
The judge before handing down her sentence, said that the court must follow guidelines, one of which states that the starting point for rape is eight years in prison.
Justice Charles also noted that the virtual complainant (VC) in the matter has been quite affected by the incident.
After Cort was taken away by prison officers, the judge noted that the court has since been informed that the family members of Cort have been threatening the VC. Justice Charles said if this continues, they will be brought before the court. “This is very serious,“ she warned.
Meanwhile, prior to the judge´s decision, lawyer for Cort, Stephen Daniels told the court that his client has a good character and while acknowledging the seriousness of the offence, he would asked that the court not impose a custodial sentence.
He said Cort is willing to contribute to society, but if he is in prison it would deprive him of doing so. Daniels also noted that Cort has a child in Guyana to take care of.
During the trial, prosecution was represented by Senior Crown Counsel Tiffany Scatliffe and Crown Counsel Valston Graham.
Prosecution’s case was that Cort was not pleased with the woman´s decision in 2008 to end the relationship and on the night of August 6, as she entered her apartment she found Cort there where he attacked her with a knife and then raped her.
One of the prosecution´s witnesses, Pastor Paul Ricketts during his testimony spoke about the day (August 7, 2008) when he saw the VC outside the marina on VG where she was acting strange.
The pastor who had his wife in the vehicle at the time, offered the woman who had tears in her eyes a ride to work. He said that he made enquiries as to what was wrong, but the woman insisted that her life depended on it.
The woman then told the pastor that when she arrived home, Cort was hiding under the bed and then he came out and attacked her, placing a knife to her throat. The pastor related that the VC reported that Cort then had sex with her ‘from behind’.
“She was hysterical and crying and I gathered that she was angry. She even wanted to kill herself, so I assured her that she didn´t have to be afraid and told her she should go to the police,” the pastor told the court.
He said that he saw a bruise to her face and a cut in the palm of her hand, which she received from the knife. He said that the VC told him that the accused punched her in the stomach as well and told her that he had a machete he bought specially for her.
