A 36-year-old father of five was this afternoon handed an 18 years’ prison term after a jury unanimously found him guilty of raping an underage girl.
Initially denying the charge which stated that during November, 2017, he engaged in sexual penetration with the young girl, Kenrick Hector was convicted of the crime after a trial.
Based on the information received, sometime during the month of November 2017, an underage girl visited Hector’s home. However, as she was about to leave, Hector forced her onto a bed and had sex with her.
At the announcement of the jury’s verdict, Hector turned to the jurors and said: “I respect your decision right, but I’m not guilty.”
The rape convict then turned to trial Judge Simone Morris-Ramlall and said: “Your honour please see with me. This is not right. This is punishment for me and my children.”
Meanwhile, the rape victim, in a statement to the court, said that she is still traumatized by the incident and wants Kenrick to go to jail.
Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy asked the court to impose a sentence that would reflect the nature and gravity of the offence. The prosecutor pointed out that the victim is still psychologically affected.
Justice Morris-Ramlall, in imposing the sentence, considered the tender age of the girl, the prevalence of sexual offences in society as well as the effects it has had on the young girl.
The Judge noted that Hector has disrespected the jury’s verdict, as he is still maintaining his innocence. This trial was heard at the Sexual Offences Court in Demerara.
