Following a trial, a man was yesterday unanimously convicted by a jury on the charge of raping a six-year-old boy.
Leonard Albert now awaits sentencing for the crime.
Albert was charged with violating the child on June 12th, 2012 in the county of Essequibo.
The trial commenced last week and after about two hours of deliberations yesterday, a 12-member jury returned with the unanimous verdict.
In a victim impact statement that was presented to the court, Social Worker Simone Gaskin said the now 13-year-old related that he feels “betrayed and sad” and wished that the assault had never happened.
The court heard from the statement, which was read by Gaskin, that while the boy said he tries to distract himself and forget about the ordeal by playing games on his computer, it is often difficult as the memories of the assault are still with him.
Albert’s sentencing has been deferred by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall until September 5th to facilitate the presentation of a probation report requested by his attorney Maxwell McKay.
The lawyer said he will present his plea in mitigation on behalf of his client at the time of sentencing, while Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy said that she will also reserve her address to the court for that day. Albert will be remanded to prison until then.
