A well-known Antiguan entertainer has been found guilty of indecent assault and serious indecency following a brief trial before the High Court.

Harrison Horsford, popularly known by his stage name Jesse Fyah, was convicted on both counts after a jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning its verdict. The trial was presided over by Justice Ann Marie Smith, with Horsford represented by attorney George Lake.

The offences stem from an incident on October 27, 2020, in which the complainant, a woman known to the defendant, accepted a ride in his vehicle. Horsford was 33 years old at the time. The complainant was 21.

The court heard that what began as a routine offer of transportation took a troubling turn when Horsford drove away from the agreed destination on the pretence of meeting someone at Darkwood. Once there, it became clear that no such meeting existed.

Prosecutor Curtis Cornelius presented evidence that Horsford made unwanted sexual advances toward the complainant inside the vehicle, kissing her without consent and grabbing her by the throat when she resisted. He is said to have touched her intimately against her will before she was eventually able to exit the vehicle. A witness who came to the complainant’s assistance shortly after the incident gave evidence that she appeared visibly distressed and was clutching her clothing.

Horsford denied the allegations. In an unsworn statement to the court, he maintained that the interaction between them had been entirely innocent, that he had offered to help her find employment and that she had asked him for money, which he declined to give. He stated that he dropped her off at her destination and had no further contact with her that day, describing a Facebook message he later received from her accusing him of rape as strange and unexpected.

The jury rejected that account, finding him guilty on both counts in under an hour.
Horsford was remanded into custody following the verdict. Justice Smith ordered a social inquiry report, and sentencing is scheduled for July 1.
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison.