A High Court judge in Guyana has sentenced a 40-year-old mason to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of raping a nine-year-old child in 2022.
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Justice Sandil Kissoon, in imposing the sentence on Orland Roberts, at the Demerara High Court, described the convicted man’s actions as “vile” and “abominable” and ordered that he spend the maximum of 18 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.
In February, Roberts pleaded guilty to the crime, but later changed his plea to not guilty.
The High Court heard that Roberts on July 4, 2022, sexually assaulted the child while she was asleep at her home.
The court heard testimony from both the victim, who woke during the attack, and her younger sister, who witnessed the assault.
Kissoon, underscoring the gravity of the offence, said that rape, especially against minors, is an unforgivable crime, branding Roberts as a “predator” while reaffirming the judiciary’s unwavering commitment to combating such heinous acts.
The judge dismissed the argument by Roberts and his attorney, Jermaine Jarvis, that the incident was attributed to alcohol intoxication, deeming Roberts’ guilty plea tactical in light of the overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution.
The judge highlighted the conclusive findings of the medical examination, which revealed injuries consistent with sexual assault.
In her impact statement, the survivor detailed the profound trauma inflicted upon her life, urging the court to impose the harshest penalty possible.
However, Jarvis pleaded for leniency, citing Roberts’ purported religious convictions and potential for rehabilitation.
Roberts himself made a plea for forgiveness, expressing remorse.
But Kissoon pointed to the severity of the crime, handing down the maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Additionally, the judge ordered Roberts to undergo rehabilitation programmes for sex offenders and alcoholics during his incarceration.
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