67-year-old George Robin, who was sentenced to 19 years behind bars after being found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl in 2017, is now contesting the severity of the sentence at the Court of Appeal.
The No. 30 Village, West Coast Berbice resident, was found guilty by a 12-member jury of the offence, which detailed that on February 6, 2017, he engaged in sexual penetration with a 16-year-old girl.
Robin, a father of 12, was on June 25, 2019, sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment by Justice Brassington Reynolds in the Sexual Offences Court of the Demerara High Court.
In his appeal, Robin contends that his conviction and sentence cannot stand, given the lack of evidence during the trial. He further argues that his sentence is excessive and severe in all circumstances of the case.
A probation report which was read in court before his sentencing revealed that the sexual offence convict was known in his community for being a leader and contributing to the neighbourhood. It was further disclosed that Robin was previously enlisted in the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force.
The probation report further revealed that residents in the community where Robin lived said he would engage himself in vulgar sexual conversations with young girls.
During a plea of mitigation, lawyer Maxwell McKay had asked the court to be lenient with his client considering his age. The lawyer had also asked the court to consider that his client has no previous brushes with the law.
Robin, throughout his trial, had maintained his innocence. He had previously told the court that whatever happens in front of man can only be judged by God. Prosecutors Lisa Cave and Seeta Bishundial presented the case for the State.
