A Berbice man, who was on trial at the High Court in Berbice for raping a minor in April, was earlier this week sentenced to 20 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of the crime by a jury.
The convict (not named to protect the identity of the victim), 44, of East Berbice Corentyne, was sentenced on Monday by Justice Brassington Reynolds.
Before sentencing the man, Justice Reynolds noted that although it was reported that the accused is a school dropout, he was a big man and had his own sense.
He further noted that he hopes the accused benefits from counselling and reflects on his actions while completing his sentence.
The accused was unrepresented, while the state was represented by attorney-at-law Seeta Bishundial.
According to a probation report, the accused was a school dropout, who was unemployed and was known to the community as a regular drinker. The report stated that the accused received meals from a relative and neighbours.
Although the accused had maintained his innocence throughout the trial and after being found guilty, right before being sentenced on Monday he said “I am sorry.”
However, Bishundial told the court that a sentence should be one which sends a strong message to other like-minded persons, while nothing that the accused robbed the victim of her childhood.
