A 74-year-old man convicted of indecently assaulting an eight-year-old boy in 2017 has avoided prison for now and will have a year to pay $5 000 to help his victim get further counselling.
Madam Justice Wanda Blair sentenced Dacosta Walcott to 33 months in prison, suspended for three years, and instructed the resident of Prerogative, St George, to pay the compensation. Last year, Walcott had been found guilty of committing the offence against the minor on July 31, 2017.
The boy’s father had told the court that on the mentioned date, Walcott had been visiting their home. He said he was outside speaking with friends and when he entered the house, he saw his son sitting on Walcott’s lap. He pulled him off and realised that Walcott’s penis was visible.
In his defence, the convicted man claimed that the boy had pulled out the penis himself.
Speaking on the seriousness of the offence, Justice Blair chastised the man for taking advantage of a vulnerable child.
“That a hardback man like you would try to blame an eight-year-old child for your dirty deeds….” she said.
Outlining the aggravating factors of the offence in the No. 4A Supreme Court, the judge pointed to the age of the complainant and the now-convicted man, the position of trust that Walcott held as he had been a friend of the victim’s father for many years, that it took place in the boy’s home, the nature of the offence, and the psychological impact it had on the complainant.
Giving a starting sentence of three years, Justice Blair deducted three months as a result of several factors, including Walcott’slow to medium risk of reoffending, his failing health and his belated expression of remorse.
If Walcott is convicted of any offence during the three years of the suspension of his sentence or fails to pay the $5 000 compensation, he will spend 33 months in prison.
Senior State Counsel Joyann Catwell and State Counsel Maya Kellman prosecuted the case, while defence attorney Martie Garnes represented Walcott.
