Parika man found guilty of raping, robbing woman

Ronald Armstrong known as ‘Sargie’ was on Thursday found guilty of raping and robbing a 20-year-old woman in 2013.

Armstrong, formerly of Parika, East Bank Essequibo, was on trial before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Demerara High Court for engaging in sexual activity with the victim on January 22, 2013.

He was indicted for robbing the victim and another person of a quantity of jewellery during the furtherance of the rape.

A 12-member jury, after deliberating for over two hours, found Armstrong guilty of both counts. The Judge deferred sentencing to June 30, 2022.

Armstrong was represented by attorney-at-law Everton Singh-Lammy, while the State was represented by Cicelia Corbin.

According to reports, the victim was at home with her baby, and her sister, who was sleeping. The woman was in the bathroom preparing to wash some clothing when she felt a cold object on her neck.

When the woman turned around, she was confronted by Armstrong, who was armed with a gun and in the company of two other men.

He demanded that the victim hand over all her valuables and threatened to injure her baby if she did not cooperate.

The victim became fearful and gave him several pieces of gold jewellery.

Armstrong then took the woman into her bedroom and raped her.

The victim passed out during the ordeal and was awoken by her sister after the men ransacked the house and escaped.