Sex offender ordered to compensate assault victim

Sixteen years after committing statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl, Rawlston Carrington has been ordered by the High Court to pay her $15 000 in compensation. He was also given a two-year suspended sentence.

Carrington, of Montrose, Christ Church, had pleaded guilty in the No. 4 Supreme Court to the charge that between January 5, 2009, and August 31, 2009, he had sexual intercourse with a girl who had attained the age of 14 but had not yet attained the age of 16.

Justice Laurie Ann Smith Bovell highlighted several aggravating factors, including evidence of grooming, noting that Carrington repeatedly told the teen he loved her and maintained constant contact through phone messages. The judge also cited multiple occasions of sexual activity over an eight-month period, the significant age difference — Carrington being twice her age at the time — and the lasting impact on the victim.

She found his use of protection mitigating but noted that it could have been intended to prevent the discovery of the offence through pregnancy.

Starting with a seven-year sentence, she reduced it by one year for mitigating factors, deducted one-third for his guilty plea and a further 27 months for the inordinate delay, leaving 650 days of imprisonment.

The judge said: “The offence committed is an offence personal to the complainant. The prosecution has indicated that the virtual complainant is open to compensation from the now-convicted man… It is apparent to me that based on the victim impact statement that the complainant can benefit from some counselling from this incident.”

She sentenced Carrington to one year and 215 days’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, warning that it would be activated if he was convicted of any offence during that period.

Carrington was instructed to pay $2 500 immediately, another $2 500 on or before February 27, and the remaining balance by November 13. Failure to pay will result in imprisonment for one year and 215 days.

State Counsel Paul Prescod prosecuted the matter, while attorney Shadia Simpson represented Carrington.