The Pattensen woman, who was charged with trafficking a young woman, was today found guilty, sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $2 million restitution to the complainant.
Defendant Sharlene Oxley broke down in tears in court after Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan handed down her ruling, guilty of human trafficking, bringing an end to a three-month long trial.
The charge against Oxley, 51, of 208 Pattensen, Greater Georgetown, stated that between the months of August and July, she recruited, transported and harboured a woman for the purpose of sexual exploitation. She had pleaded not guilty to the charge at her arraignment in September.
Prosecutor Neville Jeffers had related to the court that Oxley had recruited the virtual complainant and illegally transported her from Guyana to French Guiana ostensibly to look after her daughter in French Guiana. However, once in French Guiana, the prosecution stated, the defendant forced the woman into prostitution and took half of the proceeds for herself.
Attorney Dexter Todd, who represented Oxley, maintained that the only reason his client took the virtual complainant to French Guiana was to look after her daughter. The defence also claimed that the virtual complainant was not forced into prostitution by the defendant, but in fact it was a plan between one of his defendant’s family members and the virtual complainant to put his client in jail.
During the Chief Magistrate’s ruling, she said that the prosecution had the burden of proving to the court that the defendant recruited, transported and harboured the virtual complainant. She said that after examining the evidence, the court was satisfied that there was sufficient evidence against Oxley to show such. Chief Magistrate McLennan explained that the accused requested the virtual complainant to go to the country, transported her there illegally and provided housing while she was taking care of the defendant’s daughter and engaging in prostitution.
The Chief Magistrate said that the sexual services of the virtual complainant mirrors sexual exploitation as the defendant consented to the activity. She said that the court was of the opinion that the defendant deceived the virtual complainant that her boyfriend did not want her and as such her intent was to exploit her. She was of the view that Oxley knew what she was doing.
Chief Magistrate McLennan went on to say that the court believed the testimony of the complainant, which was not discredited by the defence. The virtual complainant, during her testimony, had told the court that she felt stifled and controlled by the accused.
In closing, the Chief Magistrate said the evidence proved that Oxley did engage in trafficking in persons and found her guilty.
After the verdict, Todd told the court that the offence was committed in another jurisdiction and the defence was challenged to provide witnesses to aid in the case. He said the defence was of the view that under the act the court has no jurisdiction in the matter, hence the sentencing should take into consideration the jurisdiction and that his client has an illness. Todd also begged the court to have mercy on his client as she was sorry for the misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the situation.
The Chief Magistrate, before sentencing, reminded that the penalty for the offence was a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years imprisonment, forfeiture of property and payment of restitution to the virtual complainant.
Oxley was sentenced to three years in jail and ordered to pay $2,000,000 restitution to the survivor; $1 million each for psychological treatment and emotional distress, the magistrate explained.
