Despite his inconsolable weeps, Jermaine Augustus was handed a five years’ prison term after a jury found him guilty of kissing and feeling the breast of a 14-year-old girl on February 15, 2016, in the county of Demerara.
Augustus, 27, a father of six, was initially charged for raping the minor, as well as engaging in sexual activity with her on the aforementioned date.
After taking evidence, Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall put the case to the jury for deliberation on a verdict. The jury returned a proportionate not guilty verdict in relation to the rape charge, 11 guilty and one not guilty; the jury reached a unanimous guilty verdict in relation to the sexual activity charge.
Guyana Standard understands that Augustus, who resided a few doors from the teenager, sneaked into her home where he kissed her and fondled her breast. At the announcement of the jury’s verdict, Augustus, who was earlier on seen smiling, broke down in tears as he sat inside of the prisoner’s dock trembling. Asked by the trial judge if he had anything to say, Augustus said, “I agree with the jury’s verdict and all I have to say is that I am sorry.”
Through an impact statement, read by a court support officer, the victim related how the incident has affected her.
Although Augustus was not found guilty of raping her, she expressed that losing her virginity made her feel awful and dirty as if she was tossed in mud. She said that her life took a turn for the worst and she began smoking marijuana, “popping pills” and skipping school. She related that she allowed several guys to take advantage of her and partake in a “gang bang”.
She explained that she became pregnant on three occasions, twice for a former boyfriend. She aborted all three of the pregnancies and is now living with the fact that she could never get pregnant again. Apart from living with sickle cell, the victim revealed that she was also diagnosed with an STD. Prosecutor Teriq Mohamed, in addressing the court, said that it is clear that the incident has affected the young girl, and asked the court to impose a sentence which would reflect the nature and gravity of the offence.
In passing sentence, Justice Morris-Ramlall considered the nature of the offence and the manner in which it was committed. The Judge also considered that Augustus admitted orally to the police that he had indeed kissed the child and fondled her breast, but did not go on further because he felt uncomfortable as he suspected that she was underage. The Judge also considered the victim’s impact statement.
Augustus, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Maxwell McKay, only becomes eligible for parole after serving three years imprisonment. This trial was heard at the Sexual Offences Court in Demerara.
