A 44-year-old minibus driver, who was found guilty of raping a 15-year-old schoolgirl, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment on Friday.
Inteaz Mohamed, called “Uncle Shameer” of Success, East Coast Demerara, was sentenced by Justice Brassington Reynolds at the Demerara High Court.
Last month, a jury found Mohamed guilty on both counts of rape, which occurred between September 2014 and January 2015.
Mohamed was represented by attorney-at-law, Latchmie Rahamat, while Prosecutors Sarah Martin and Nafeeza Baig presented the State’s case.
In his defense, Mohamed claimed that in April 2014, he had to undergo surgery for a hernia and was unable to perform sexual activities since it would have been painful. However, no medical evidence was submitted to the court to back up this claim.
Mohamed also claimed that the victim’s story was fabricated by her brother. Lastly, Mohamed also alleged that he would only transport primary school pupils to school and not students from secondary school. He also claimed that his sister would be present with him during the journey.
In his probation report, which was read in court on Friday, Mohamed’s relatives described him as a “good person, who never harmed anyone in his life.”
Persons in his village expressed shock and said they are saddened by the action of Mohamed since he was often seen transporting the victim to school.
In her impact statement to the court, the victim said, “Being raped was the worst and most painful thing I ever experienced. I felt scared, helpless, and traumatised…He was a monster to me. I was depressed dealing with the painful memories by myself. It was difficult. I felt like my body wasn’t mine anymore, having something taken away from me with force is the worst feeling.”
According to the victim, she is being tormented by Mohamed’s relatives, which has worsened after he was found guilty of the crimes. The victim alleged that Mohamed’s relatives are circulating her photographs online and are trying to destroy her character.
Among other things, the victim said that she was further humiliated when his relatives reached out to her workmates to scandalise her character.
“I am traumatised all over again. I am emotionally stressed and I am scared to go to work because every day I’m being bullied…there is no end to my problem and his family will continue to destroy my character,” the victim stated in her statement.
The probation officer told the court that these allegations are currently under investigation by the police for cybercrime harassment.
Before imposing the sentence, Justice Reynolds highlighted the continuing trend of bus operators who prey on schoolgirls. The judge told Mohamed that he should be separated from the rest of society, whose values and norms he goes against with his beastly actions.
Finally, the judge sentenced Mohammed to serve 25 years imprisonment on each count, which will run concurrently.
