NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) — A 59-year-old church deacon has been sentenced to twenty years in jail after being discovered responsible of repeatedly molesting a 10-year-old lady.
Justice Dale Fitzpatrick handed down the ruling final week, describing the case as a grave breach of belief. The deacon, who confirmed no emotion in courtroom, has not been named to guard the kid’s identification.
The jury returned a unanimous responsible verdict on two counts of illegal sexual activity with a dependent. The crimes befell in January and February 2023, when the person raped the kid on three events inside his bed room. On the time, his spouse—who’s recovering from a stroke—was in one other room.
Steering Counsellor Raised Alarm
The sufferer, who had been dwelling with the person and his spouse after her mom’s demise, was rescued after a college steering counsellor alerted authorities.
On Might 9, 2025, the person was formally convicted. Regardless of his responsible verdict, he maintained his innocence in courtroom.
Choose Sends Message
In sentencing, Justice Fitzpatrick harassed the necessity for deterrence in instances involving little one victims:
“There’s a drawback with the frequency of a majority of these crimes on this neighborhood, requiring a message of deterrence and denunciation by the courts.”
He reminded the convict that the Bible instructions love and safety for kids, noting the hypocrisy of his actions as a church chief.
Failed Plea for Leniency
Defence lawyer Dorsey McPhee had argued for a non-custodial sentence, citing the person’s function as caretaker for his spouse and his ailing mom. The convict even claimed he might function a mentor to younger males locally.
However the decide was unmoved, stressing the intense breach of belief between the person and the kid, who noticed him as a father determine.
The 20-year sentence takes impact from the date of conviction. The person can even obtain credit score for the 2 months spent on remand.
