High Court judge imposes consecutive sentences after jury conviction on buggery charges spanning April-May 2015.
A High Court judge in Trinidad has handed down an 18-year prison sentence to a 48-year-old man following his conviction on two counts of buggery involving a 15-year-old boy, according to the Jamaica Observer. The nine-member jury returned guilty verdicts in June after hearing evidence of crimes committed between April and May 2015.
The victim, who had left his Laventille home after a disagreement with his grandmother over enrollment in a Military-Led Academic Training programme, encountered the accused at a Port of Spain fast food restaurant. The man, who was 38 at the time, offered shelter to the teenager after learning he had run away and had nowhere to stay. The grandmother reported her grandson missing that same evening.
Once at the accused’s residence, the teenager was sexually assaulted and subsequently held captive for nearly two months. During this period, he was forced to perform household labor, launder clothes, and work at a nearby supermarket, with his wages confiscated. The victim eventually managed to escape and reported the abuse to authorities, triggering the arrest and prosecution.
In imposing the sentence, Justice Nalani Singh established an 11-year starting point before enhancing the penalty based on aggravating factors. The judge emphasized the significant power imbalance created by the age difference, the accused’s assumption of control, and his deliberate exploitation of the vulnerable teenager’s circumstances. She noted that consecutive rather than concurrent sentencing was appropriate, resulting in the full 18-year term rather than nine years.
The judge acknowledged that the accused, who worked as a security officer, Spanish tutor, and football coach, had no prior criminal convictions and maintained family responsibilities. However, these mitigating factors warranted only a measured reduction from the starting point. Justice Singh concluded that the aggregate sentence properly reflected the overall criminality and severity of the offences.
Trinidad and Tobago, like other Caribbean nations, has ongoing concerns regarding child protection and sexual abuse cases. The criminal justice system addresses such offences through buggery charges under local law, with sentencing guidelines that consider victim vulnerability, offender conduct, and circumstances of exploitation.
This case reflects broader regional challenges in protecting vulnerable youth, particularly runaways and displaced children who may be targeted for exploitation. The conviction and sentencing demonstrate the Caribbean justice system’s response to serious sexual abuse crimes, relevant to advocacy and awareness efforts across the region.
Written & Edited by Orlyn Edwards. Published by Caribbean Air Force Media.
Category: News · Island routing: Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago