Essequibo man found guilty of rape jailed for 18 years

Francis Gonsalves was on Wednesday sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for raping a 35-year-old woman in 2018.

Gonsalves, 30, of the Charity Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast was sentenced by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Suddie High Court.

On Tuesday, a jury found Gonsalves guilty of raping the woman on March 27, 2018.  The court heard that the victim had left a birthday party at 03:00hrs when she was attacked and raped by Gonsalves.

The judge considered the violent nature of the crime and the fact that Gonsalves showed no remorse for his actions. She also considered the physical and psychological trauma the crime had on the victim.

The judge, in her sentencing remarks, said that based on the fact that Gonsalves is currently serving a sentence for burglary, assault causing actual bodily harm, damage to property and breach of a protection order, it was clear that he has a violent nature.

Gonsalves was represented by attorney Ravindra Mohabir while the State was represented by Proseacutor Tiffani Lyken.