Home » Posts » Former couple jailed for indecent assault on minor

Former couple jailed for indecent assault on minor

by Fernella Wedderburn
4 min read
A+A-
Reset

Madam Justice Wanda Blair on Tuesday sentenced a man and his former girlfriend to three years in prison for what she described as “a sickening act” committed on a 13-year-old girl back in 2017.

Of that sentence, Derrick Anthony Forde of Scarborough, Christ Church and Shakeila Tamika Marissa Phillips of Walkers, St Andrew have two years and six months left to serve at Dodds after the judge took several factors into consideration. 

Last October, a jury found the duo not guilty of having sexual intercourse with the child without her consent on June 23, 2017, but guilty of the lesser offence of indecent assault.

Phillips was also found guilty of procuring the teen to have sexual intercourse with Forde on the same date.

According to the evidence disclosed at trial, Phillips was plaiting the complainant’s hair when she invited the teen into her bedroom. Phillips then told the girl, “you had best do the thing for the money” but she protested.  

The complainant testified that Forde then appeared from behind the bedroom door and pushed her down on the bed and she was indecently assaulted. At the time, Philips, who was Forde’s girlfriend, was also on the bed holding her hand as she resisted. Phillips also held a phone and appeared to be recording the incident.

Both convicts, who have no previous convictions and are deemed at low risk of reoffending, maintained their innocence in the matter.

However, in sentencing, Justice Blair chastised the duo, saying a custodial sentence was required to maintain public confidence in the administration of justice and “to send a strong message to society that this type of behaviour will not be encouraged or condoned”.

“This wasn’t a tap on the butt or a touch of the breast. This was, at its minimum, the two [of you] physically restraining the complainant while Forde tried to [insert] his penis in her vagina,” she said. 

The High Court judge who presides over Supreme Court No. 4a added that the court was “disturbed” that the two had taken advantage of a child who was particularly vulnerable because of her domestic situation.

“You, Ms Phillips, being a young mother yourself and who stated that you used to talk to the complainant like a mother, turned around and actively facilitated in her being violated by your then boyfriend.

“This was a sickening act and one which is to be condemned in the strongest terms . . . . Your actions contributed to psychological damage to the complainant for which she had to be treated with medication and for which she is still trying to grapple with,” Justice Blair said.

The judge said she had given careful consideration to the mitigation of the lawyers in the case and thought “long and hard” about what sentence should be imposed. 

Attorney-at-law Marlon Gordon represented Forde and Lennox Miller was defence counsel for Phillips. Senior State Counsel Olivia Davis was the prosecutor.

Justice Blair told Phillips that she had also considered representation made by her family and friends “who feel that you should essentially escape any further punishment in order for you to take care of your young children”. 

“As much as I am concerned about the welfare of your children, I cannot allow that to influence my decision in this matter. It is my hope that those same relatives who have expressed concern will rise to the challenge and assist your children so that they will not fall prey to this vicious cycle,” the judge said.

“The court has a responsibility to ensure that justice is done not only to you but the harm done to the complainant has to be considered.”

Blair then imposed three-year sentences for each offence and credited the convicts with the 104 days they had spent on remand. They were also given a discount of three months for the five-year delay in the matter, leaving them with 901 days or approximately two years and six months left to serve at Dodds.

“Ms Philips, your role in this matter cannot be minimised or excused. Had it not been for your conniving with Mr Forde, we would not have been here. So, I cannot just give you a pass. Although you were described as simple-minded, you are an adult and definitely responsible for your own actions.

“. . . . There is nothing before this court which will justify me imposing a lighter sentence on you. This incident started because you breached the complainant’s trust,” Justice Blair added.

You may also like

About Us

Barbados Today logos white-14

The (Barbados) Today Inc. is a privately owned, dynamic and innovative Media Production Company.

Useful Links

Get Our News

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

Barbados Today logos white-14

The (Barbados) Today Inc. is a privately owned, dynamic and innovative Media Production Company.

BT Lifestyle

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Accept Privacy Policy

-
00:00
00:00
Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00