Man jailed for raping teen girl at birthday party

A 25-year-old man was on Monday sentenced to serve 12 years imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old girl during her birthday celebration in 2013.

The man, Kemo Calvin Chase, was sentenced by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Suddie High Court, Essequibo Coast. Last month, a jury found him guilty of raping the girl.

During a sentencing hearing on Monday, Chase maintained that he is innocent of the offence and said the “story” was fabricated by the victim.

Chase’s attorney, Latchmi Dindayal, during a plea of mitigation asked the court to impose a suspended sentence, arguing that his client can be rehabilitated.

The judge considered the nature of the crime and the fact that Chase 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 she considered that at the time of the offence Chase was 17 and was “young and immature.” As such, the Judge imposed the 12-year sentence.

The State was represented by Prosecutor Tiffani Lyken.

The victim in a statement told the court that she was frequently raped by Chase. She said she feels “hopeless and unloved.” She also told the court that on her birthday every year since the rape she is forced to relive the trauma.