Young victim’s testimony put rapist behind bars

JUSTICE Graham Ellis sentenced a man for 20 years imprisonment  with hard labour for raping his 11-year-old stepdaughter in 2004.
The judge told the 39-year-old father of four: “You robbed your step-daughter of her virginity when you raped her that night and she was not even 12 years old at that time.
“That is why your sentence will set an example, a good example of what will happen when the lives of young girls are affected by people they should be able to trust,” Justice Ellis said.
Justice Ellis said: “For cases such as this, the Supreme Court has said the starting point for sentencing should be between 14 and 18 years if the accused pleads guilty. As you did not plead guilty, you are not entitled to the lesser sentence which is usually given when a person pleads guilty.”
The rapist sexually penetrated his stepdaughter in Lenki in March 2004.
The court heard that the man threatened to kill his stepdaughter if she reported what he had done to her.    
Subsequently, she did not report the rape until some time later.
Justice Ellis told the girl: “Having reached Grade 9, I would encourage you to resume your studies and to continue your education through to Grade 12.  Perhaps you will be able to set your sights on some job or other goal that will enable you to focus on the future and not the past.
“You might find that by continuing your studies, you can make a difference not only to your own life but to your community and your country.
“I note that it required strength on your part to come to court and give evidence in this case. You could have taken the easy course of just staying at home and not telling your story,” he said.