Ronald Armstrong known as “Sargie” was on Monday handed two life sentences for raping and robbing a 20-year-old woman in 2013.
Armstrong, 34, formerly of Jubilee Drive Friendship, East Bank Demerara was sentenced by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Demerara High Court.
In June, a 12-member jury found Armstrong guilty of raping the victim on January 22, 2013.
He was also found guilty of robbing the victim and another person of a quantity of jewellery during the furtherance of the rape.
Armstrong, who is currently serving a four-year sentence for robbery, was represented by attorney-at-law Everton Singh-Lammy.
The State was represented by Cicelia Corbin.
While delivering her sentencing remarks on Monday, Justice Beharry said she considered the seriousness and prevalence of sex crimes in society and also the physical, psychological and emotional trauma Armstrong caused to the victim.
“In this case, the aggravating factors greatly outweigh the mitigating factors,” the judge said as she underscored the court’s role in protecting and preserving society from like-minded offenders.
In the end, the Judge imposed two life sentences on Armstrong, which will run concurrently. However, she ordered that the new sentence commences after Armstrong concluded his four years sentence.
Previously, the victim’s impact statement was also read in court, which detailed how the incident affected her. The victim said that now she is working hard to overcome the trauma Armstrong put her through.
“It has been almost a decade since you raped me, yet it feels as if no time has passed as all. For years I was angry at myself, I blamed myself, I questioned everything I did and didn’t do, every action, every thought, every gesture, every word spoken and unspoken. I never blamed the person responsible and who deserves to be blamed: That person is you! I finally allowed myself to be angry at you,” the victim said to Armstong.
The woman said that she can still remember every detail of that traumatic incident from the weight of Armstong pinning her down on the bed to the scent of his “odoriferous” cologne as he forced himself into her.
“ You were so calm as if you were doing nothing wrong. You stuffed my mouth full with cloth and still kept your hand tight on my head while pointing that gun at my baby and you continued to shush me,” she added.
The victim said that the incident made her insecure in her own home and body. However, she is thankful that her daughter does not have any memories from that horrific day.
“ You may have wounded my body but not my spirit. I am alive! I am determined! And I will empower myself! I wish you a very long life in jail Ronald Armstrong!” the victim concluded as she labelled Armstrong a “sadistic monster.”
According to the case facts, 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.