Robert Joseph called ‘Terry’ was on Wednesday sentenced to 10 years imprisonment after he confessed to raping a 15-year-old girl in 2019.
Joseph, 45, appeared before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court and admitted that on July 9, 2019, in the county of Demerara, he engaged in sexual penetration with the teen.
He was represented by attorney-at-law Dexter Todd, while the State was represented by prosecutors Sarah Martin and Nafeeza Baig.
According to reports, Joseph is known to the victim and her family; it is alleged that Joseph took the teen into his bedroom, where he reportedly gave her alcohol to consume after which he fondled her breast and vagina.
The victim complained to her parents and Joseph was arrested.
During his sentencing, Joseph told the court that he was living in “guilt” and opted to confess to the crime. He also pleaded with the court for a chance to apologise to the victim.
“Rum, beer and dem things is na fuh me,” Joseph told the court as he pleaded for a second chance to turn his life around.
Justice Barlow, in her sentencing remarks, highlighted the increase in sexual offences; she explained that a custodial sentence, in this case, was necessary and appropriate.
The Judge sentenced Joseph to 10 years imprisonment from which prison authorities are expected to make a one-third deduction from his sentence.
He was also ordered to attend counselling sessions behind bars which cater for persons who were convicted of a sexual offence committed on children.
