30 years jail for rapist

Convicted child rapist Esan Germaine, who is currently serving a sentence for sexually abusing a young girl, was on Tuesday sentenced to 30 years imprisonment on three more charges.

Last month, Germaine was found guilty by a 12-member jury on three counts of rape committed on a 15-year-old girl between January-July 2014. He was on trial before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Demerara High Court.

Germaine was represented by attorney-at-law Clyde Forde while the State was represented by prosecutors Nafeeza Baig, Latifah Elliot, and Muntaz Ali.

According to a probation report which was read in court by a probation officer, Germaine has an “incestuous behaviour” and had even impregnated a relative.

Germaine’s relatives told the probation officer that the convicted man lived a “promiscuous lifestyle.” They denounced his behaviour, noting that it has brought shame to the family.

In her impact statement, the victim said that she is working hard to overcome the trauma Germaine put her through. According to the young lady, as a result of the incident, she cannot trust men and is unable to display love and affection.

Germaine, although maintaining his innocence, told the court that he is working to rehabilitate himself.

“I’m currently working hard on changing my behavioural patterns,” he said.

Meanwhile, in her sentencing remarks, the Judge said that she considered the physical and psychological harm Germaine caused the victim. She also considered that Germaine lacked genuine remorse for his actions.

The Judge further highlighted that there is a likelihood of Germaine committing the offence again since he was previously convicted and is currently serving a sentence for similar crimes.

While considering the gravity of the crime, the Judge sentenced Germaine to serve 20 years on the first count, 25 years on the second count, and 30 years on the third count.

The sentences will run concurrently which means that Germaine will only serve 30 years behind bars.

According to reports, Germaine is known to the victim and her parents. It is alleged that while visiting the victim’s house, he would rape her when her mother is not around.

In his defence, Germaine said that the victim was an unmannered child and was “experimenting with her sexuality.”

He also claimed that at the time he tried to “rehabilitate” her and put “strict” measures in place to guide her to be better – by beating her sometimes and talking to her and sending her to church for counselling.

In 2017, a 12-member jury found Germaine guilty of three counts of rape committed between 2010-2013, on a girl when she was aged four, six, and seven.

Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall had sentenced Germaine to serve 15, 20 and 30 years respectively.  All the sentences are running concurrently.