A Linden resident was yesterday sentenced to 15 years in prison for the rape of a then 14-year-old girl, whom he held against her will with the use of a weapon.
Akeem Wong, 26, of Lot 62 Half Mile, Wismar, Linden, was sentenced by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the High Court in Georgetown.
Despite a guilty plea, Wong told a probation officer that he was unaware that the victim was 14-years-old and that he was committing a crime, since he claimed that she told him she was 16 years of age and consented to the act.
A probation report presented to the judge said Wong now understands the law and is regretful that he broke the law. He said that he is now aware that an underage person cannot give consent to have sexual intercourse.
Wong also said that he was sorry for his actions and asked the victim to forgive him since he knows that she is hurting. He claimed that he would have compensated the victim financially if he had the money to do so.
The probation report revealed that Wong, who attended the Wismar Hill Primary School, was later forced to drop out of school because his family could not afford it. He later started working in the interior at the age of 15 to assist his mother, since the family was not supported by his father.
It was also noted that he was involved in many delinquent acts, and associated with bad characters and had several brushes with the law as a result. Wong was previously faced with a break and enter charge for which he was locked up for a couple of months before the matter was dismissed. He was also charged with robbery, for which he was again incarcerated for a few months before the matter was dismissed. He also spent one year in jail for another robbery charge before the matter was dismissed.
He admitted to some of the past allegations, the probation officer pointed out.
Wong told the court he was asking for leniency and forgiveness while seeking a second chance.
The judge, after listening to the accused, related that a weapon used during the act indicated that the victim was held against her will and consent was not fully given. The judge later noted the psychological trauma the incident caused the victim.
The probation report indicated that the virtual complainant was still traumatised and is fearful that the accused will come to her home to take her.
She is most fearful when she is home alone, the report said, while noting that the victim related that on one occasion she woke up in the middle of the night and was thinking of the attack and suddenly blood started flowing from her nose.
She stated that she wants justice to be done and for the accused to be locked away for a long time, since if he is to be released she believes that she will be living in fear.
However, the judge also took into consideration that at the time of the attack Wong was 23 years of age. Saying there is hope that he can be rehabilitated, the judge sentenced Wong to 15 years.
