VIDEO STORY: JUST TWO YEARS? Calls for Retrial in Case Involving Rape of Disabled Minor

Published

Members of the disability community are outraged by the decision to sentence Dequan Yearwood to just two years in prison for sexually assaulting an underage girl with disabilities. 

They are planning to take to the streets to express their disgust with the legal system. 

The association is seeking support from across the country in their call for a retrial.

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This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2025/05/25/just-two-years-calls-for-retrial-in-case-involving-rape-of-disabled-minor. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Shermain Bique-Charles

About the author

Shermain Bique-Charles is an accomplished journalist with over 24 years of dynamic experience in the industry. Renowned for her exceptional storytelling and investigative skills, she has garnered numerous awards that highlight her commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence. Her work not only informs but also inspires, making her a respected voice in the field.

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Comments (14)

  • Lesroy May 25, 2025, 10:38 PM

    I always find that there was something strange about that sentencing. Two years for raping a disabled child is surly not enough time
    Reply
  • AAB May 25, 2025, 10:49 PM

    If THIS is Our JUSTICE SYSTEM…….. SOMETHING IS WRONG …… …….. TO SAVE OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM …. Some AUTHORITY had BETTER DO SOMETHING to Review THIS CASE…. And COMPARE THIS SENTENCE with Other Sentences handed down for RAPE OF SIMILAR AGED MINORS …. …….. Please Please Please SAVE ANU/BAR’S 🇦🇬. JUSTICE SYSTEM PLEASE!!!! 🥲🥲🥲😞😞😞😢😢😢😭….
    Reply
  • Unruly One May 25, 2025, 10:51 PM

    This is just ridiculous
    Reply
  • Anonymous May 25, 2025, 11:23 PM

    Goat lucky is in charge……but God the alllllllmighty is not sleeping He is watching and we all gonna reap our JUST reward I stand in solidarity with the association this needs to be reviewed.
    Reply
    • No mi June 22, 2025, 7:47 PM

      He should receive a t least 10 years
      Reply
  • Devorn Carter May 26, 2025, 5:06 AM

    I’ll never stop wondering how a man gets 3.5 years for gun and a man gets 2 years for raping, not only a minor but a disable minor. The system in Antigua is trash
    Reply
  • Food4thought May 26, 2025, 5:07 AM

    This needs to be revised. I don’t understand how a man gets two years for raping a minor. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RETRIAL
    Reply
  • Antigua Surf May 26, 2025, 5:18 AM

    As a Warner said, Yearwood. The last name send more than just a buzz. Isn’t this a popular and powerful last name in the island? Hmmm, little more he wasn’t sent behind bars at all. I hope the men deal with him up there.
    Reply
  • Rhea May 26, 2025, 5:22 AM

    Amazing how you guys follow these cases closely and keep us updated on every matter. All these reading I can no longer deal with. I don’t find we get much information in reading these videos are just the way to go. Yes I find that this is injustice. 2 years for raping a disable minor is like a slap on the risk. If she agreed to sex, she did so not knowing what it meant, I’m sure she can’t even agree and he use that disabled child body as his own sex tool. The system has failed every abused child I know in this country
    Reply
  • Stone May 26, 2025, 6:41 AM

    what is it that these grown men find so fascinating in having anything to do with young girls .A bus man just got double time for two of them..the men themselves also have a problem
    Reply
  • Juju Bee May 26, 2025, 7:12 AM

    Yeh I mean come on. People found with illegal firearms get more time that a rapist?
    I mean make the damn thing make sense.
    The DPP should appeal the sentence
    Reply
  • Faithful national #1 May 26, 2025, 7:50 AM

    This is an obvious miscarriage of Justice! The Judge in this matter needs to be made to explain the rationale for his/her disgraceful sentence. Did this Judge deliberately hand down this grossly unjust sentence as part of his/her contribution to Agenda For Destabilization currently being played out in Antigua and Barbuda and across the region???
    The rape of a minor, statutory rape, carries an automatic jail sentence way in excess of the two years imposed in this case! It is in even more egregious to know that the victim in this case was a minor with special needs!!!
    Something is clearly NOT adding up. Are judges required to take a sobriety test before each case? Well, maybe it’s damn high time they did!!!!
    Reply
    • Anonymous May 26, 2025, 12:11 PM

      I’m glad is not me alone the agenda destabilization going on.
      Reply
  • Junella Francis May 26, 2025, 1:53 PM

    I am absolutely appalled by the decision to sentence Dequan Yearwood to just two years for such a horrific crime. This is not only a betrayal of justice but also a stark reminder of how the legal system often fails to protect the most vulnerable members of our society, especially those with disabilities. The outrage from the disability community is completely justified, and it’s crucial that we support their call for a retrial. We need to stand together and demand accountability and justice for victims of such heinous acts.
    Reply

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