Adrian Veira, called “Chuckie,” 31, was on Friday last sentenced to nine years behind bars for the 2018 rape of a mentally disabled young man who he accosted in a washroom facility.
Earlier this month, Veira admitted that on January 16th, 2018 he sexually penetrated the 21-year-old without his consent.
Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry before whom the offender was arraigned, had deferred sentencing to June 17th to first hear from probation and other social impact reports.
At a pre-sentencing hearing on June 10th, Veira said that he was sorry for what he had done; while his attorney, Teriq Mohammed, in a mitigating plea begged for lenience, asking the Judge to consider that his client had not wasted the Court’s time, but instead took responsibility for his actions at the first-given opportunity.
The lawyer also submitted that still being relatively young; his client had the potential for rehabilitation.
A prison report described Veira’s behaviour as “unbalanced,” further explaining, “His behaviour does not align with his age.”
That report also revealed that in March of 2020, the offender had been convicted and sentenced to three years in prison on charges of engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16 years.
In her address to the Court, calling for a sentence with a message strong enough to deter potential offenders, Prosecutor Cicelia Corbin had asked the Court to consider the nature and gravity of the act committed.
But more importantly, she asked the Judge to specifically consider that the offender had taken advantage of the complainant’s mental disability, describing the manner in which the assault was carried out as an “ambush” in a washroom.
The facts are that on the day in question, the virtual complainant was using a washroom facility when the offender entered and accosted him from behind, grabbing him by the neck.
Thereafter, he proceeded to rape the young man.
The court had heard that someone who witnessed what was unfolding, quickly summoned help.
Veira was later turned over to the police, arrested and charged.
After considering the social impact reports as well as the submissions from counsel on both sides, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry informed Veira that he would be sentenced to a period of imprisonment for nine years.
The matter was called before the Georgetown Sexual Offences Court of the High Court in Demerara.
