Rape victim recounts suicidal thoughts as man is sentenced to 29 years jail

Gingesh Khan, 52, was on Tuesday sentenced to 29 years imprisonment for three counts of indecent assault and one count of rape committed on a nine-year-old girl in 2008.

Khan, known as ‘Links’, was sentenced by Justice Brassington Reynolds at the High Court after a 12-member jury found him guilty of the offences which occurred between August 1-31, 2008 on the East Bank of Essequibo.

Khan was represented by Attorney Ravindra Mohabir while the State’s case was presented by Prosecutors Seeta Bishundial and Lisa Cave.

Khan’s probation report stated that he was unemployed at the time of the incident and was being taken care of by his sister after he was laid off from his job as a labourer at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate in 2015.

He denied the allegations in the probation report.

The report also stated that persons in the village revealed that Khan is known to sexually abuse animals.

The villagers had told the Probation Officer that Khan would frequently consume alcohol and would behave disorderly when he is under the influence.

The Probation Officer told the court that Khan was not seen as a positive individual in society and has to be set apart in order to protect others.

The victim, who is now 20-years-old gave a statement in court and explained that she wants justice for what Khan did to her.

“I had trust and respect for him… Everyone in the village know what he did to me,” the victim said.

The victim explained that as a result of the trauma she suffered at the hands of Khan, she had suicidal thoughts while growing up and was forced to leave the village.

Meanwhile, in mitigation, Khan’s attorney told the court that his client was charged for bestiality, in a matter involving a horse but the matter was dismissed.

In sentencing, Justice Reynolds told the court that the victim’s statement was painful and emotional.

“You breached the victim’s trust…you groomed and defiled the victim in the most vile way,” the judge said as he labelled Khan ” a very sick man.”

Justice Reynolds imposed the 29-year sentenced on Khan and ordered him to benefit from the appropriate treatment while imprisoned.