A man who sexually abused a young girl on multiple occasions has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty before the High Court.
The sentence was handed down on Wednesday, just one day after the defendant admitted to the crime — a move that spared the child from having to relive her ordeal in a full trial.
The convicted man had been in a romantic relationship with the victim’s mother and had gone as far as signing the little girl’s birth certificate, listing himself as her father. That position of trust, however, did not stop him from carrying out a series of disturbing acts against the child.
Between late 2022 and mid-2023, the eight-year-old girl went to stay with him at a property where he worked as a caretaker. It was there that he raped her, before threatening to beat her if she breathed a word to her mother.
He did not stop at that single incident. The man went on to commit further sexual acts against the child on at least two more occasions.
The abuse was uncovered in August 2023 when the child’s mother noticed something was wrong with her daughter. After speaking with the girl, the horrifying truth emerged.
Alongside the twelve-year sentence for rape, the judge also imposed two additional five-year terms for serious indecency. All three sentences will run concurrently.
Under Antigua and Barbuda’s Sexual Offences Act, the offence of rape carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
“Under Antigua and Barbuda’s Sexual Offences Act, the offence of rape carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.“ however they gave him 12 years. This is just sickening!! He should be in there for life, matter fact, he deserves the electric chair. Hanging his ass make him suffer.
I agree, he should not be able to be apart of any society after that act
Twelve years can never undo what was done to that child. The sentence is justice in a legal sense, but the emotional damage will take far longer to heal. Cases like this remind us why protection of children must never be negotiable.
Im happy that even in the midst of this election the media find time to highlight some of nasty wicked ways of man. I hate men who prey on the innocent be it boy or girl. You al are wicked and nasty. An 8 year old? what can this child possibly do for you
This is why you can’t trust everybody around your children, even people close to you. This is just sad
This is absolutely disgusting. That little girl trusted him like a father. 12 years not enough at all
He should never see daylight again. Signing her birth paper and still doing that? Evil.
Man like this deserve life. No mercy. Too much wickedness going on in this country.
12 alone??????Allu wicked!
He should be locked up forever! Wicked soul! An 8 year old . Awa
That man will never see good
These are the cases where the law feel too soft. Protect the children better man.