Stepfather jailed after decades-old sexual abuse case

A stepfather who admitted to sexually abusing his stepdaughter more than two decades ago has been given an effective prison term of just over six and a half years, after an 18-year starting sentence was reduced for mitigating factors.

The man, whose name was withheld to protect the complainant’s identity, pleaded guilty to a charge of buggery committed between June 1 and June 30, 2001. The court heard that the child was subjected to multiple forms of penetration.

Delivering sentence in the No. 5A Supreme Court, Justice Christopher Birch said the man’s conduct was “systematic, degrading and humiliating”, stressing that he had abandoned his fundamental duty to protect the child in his care.

“It cannot be denied that the now convicted man, in this case, embarked on a course of action against the complainant that was systematic, degrading and humiliating,” the judge said.

“He not only failed in his duty as a parent to provide safety and security, but he deliberately set out to seek gratification for his own desires regardless of her feelings or the damage he caused.”

Justice Birch described the aggravating features of the case as “very disturbing”, noting that the complainant had been placed “at the literal mercy of the man”.

Emphasising the abuse of trust, the judge said the familial relationship significantly aggravated the offence.

“She had the right to be protected by him, not from him,” Justice Birch said.

He also noted that the abuse occurred over an extended period and found no mitigating circumstances relating to the offence itself, concluding that an 18-year starting point was appropriate.

The court noted that the offender had accepted responsibility for his actions and expressed genuine remorse, and had described his conduct as “the evil” he had inflicted on the complainant.

Justice Birch said the man acknowledged that the victim “had not deserved it” and admitted that “no one deserves that kind of evil being visited on them”. The stepfather also told the court he continued to experience inner turmoil stemming from his own childhood trauma.

The judge further noted that the offender had not attempted to minimise or excuse his conduct, had no previous convictions, and had received favourable character references. Those factors, together with the pre-sentence report, resulted in a two-year reduction from the starting sentence.

A one-third reduction was applied for the guilty plea, with additional deductions for the lengthy delay and the 158 days the offender had already spent on remand.

After all deductions, Justice Birch ordered the man to serve the remaining 2 460 days in prison.

The man was represented by attorney Desmond Sands, while the case was prosecuted by Principal State Counsel Romario Straker and State Counsel Rommel Sandiford.

(JB)