Life imprisonment for father of two who raped girl, 13

A 33-year-old driver of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old girl in 2021.

Mark Samuels, a father of two, will become eligible for parole after 30 years. The sentence was handed down by Justice Navindra Singh at the Sexual Offences Court in the Demerara High Court on Thursday.

The Judge, in sentencing Samuels, considered that violence was used during the crime and the psychological trauma it had on the victim.

Last month, a 12-member jury found Samuels guilty of engaging in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16 on January 27, 2021, in the county of Demerara.

According to the case facts, Samuels is known to the victim’s family and was a frequent visitor to their home. On that day, he committed the crime despite the victim’s attempts to defend herself.

After enduring the traumatic experience, the teen confided in her mother, who reported the matter to the Police.  Samuels was subsequently arrested and charged with the crime.

The State was represented by prosecutors Tiffini Lyken and State Counsel Nafeeza Baig. Samuels was represented by attorney Clevaun Humphrey.