‘…it is time that society sends a message to persons who are inclined to rape, that jail is imminent.’ – State Prosecutor
JUSTICE Diana Insanally sentenced Ravidat Jagnit alias ‘Putty’ to 12 years imprisonment, at the Berbice Assizes Monday, after a mixed jury unanimously convicted him of rape.

The prisoner himself remained speechless as the sentence was pronounced but his relatives in the courtroom burst into tears.

The conviction followed testimony, by the now 63-year-old victim, about how the rapist, then 18 years of age, demanded American money while having forced sexual intercourse with her, at her East Canje home, on December 6, 2003, a few days after her stepson had returned from the United States (U.S.).

The mother of four daughters recalled that, earlier in the day of the encounter, she visited the overseas-based relative and, on returning to her house at 19:00 h, she lit a hand lamp.

She had a bath in her downstairs zinc enclosed bathroom, went back upstairs and bolted her door.

The witness said she took the lamp and was going into the big bedroom when she saw Jagnit emerging from the adjoining room.

She said she was frightened by the appearance of the intruder and her heartbeats increased as he commanded her: “Hold up! Hold up! Pass the U.S.”

The petite woman, led by State Counsel Ganesh Hira, remembered declaring that she had no U.S. dollars and questioning Jagnit how he gained entry.

She said he warned her not to make noise or shout but to extinguish the lamp light, by which she recognised his white cap, tee shirt and cream pants.

The witness said Jagnit kept asking her for the foreign currency and she maintained she had none.

She said he pushed her in the bedroom, secured the door and put out the lamp whilst taking off his clothes.

He instructed her not to call his name as persons were passing and threatened her that, if she made noise, he would cut her throat with a shiny knife she saw.

TOWEL
She said Jagnit, whom she knew for years as he grew up, threw her on the bed, unwrapped the towel around her and removed her underwear, then proceeded to sexually violate her, all the time demanding U.S. money.

The virtual complainant said she was unable to fight off the youthful and stronger man, who, subsequently, searched and found US$90 hidden under an old barrel, which was given to her by her stepson.

She said she remained on the bed as he, again, had forced sex with her and, when he was finished, he wanted her to fetch a bowl from the kitchen for him to wash himself but she did not, as she was in pain.

The woman said she heard the sound of water pouring in the kitchen before Jagnit said he was leaving, warning her, once more, not to raise an alarm or he would return and slash her throat.

She said she stayed in bed until the next morning when her daughters arrived, covered her and accompanied her to Reliance Police Station, where a report was made.

In answer to Defence Counsel Charandass Persaud, the witness said she does not consume alcohol.

Despite not seeing the prisoner undress in the dark, she knew it was him on top of her.

She said they did not kiss but admitted that, although she denied having money, some was hid under the barrel.

Re-examined by Hira, the victim said the policewoman who took her to hospital had stood by the door of the examination room but, after she was examined, the doctor made Constable Chandradei Prakash come closer.

ABRASIONS
Earlier, now Rural Sergeant Prakash read the medical certificate which was tendered and indicated that the doctor found evidence of the alleged rape and abrasions to the vaginal orifice which could be dangerous to life.

In an unsworn statement from the dock, Jagnit made an alibi defence.

Addressing the jury at the beginning of the trial, Hira quoted from the book of Deuteronomy in the Holy Bible and said not only man but God condemns the crime.

He told the jurors, two women and 10 men, that, some day another woman may be raped, an event which may forever change the life of that person who could be a mother, daughter or sister’s child.

As such, the silence of every passing second screams for justice to be done for the women who have been tortured in the most sickening way.

The State Prosecutor declared it is time that society sends a message to persons who are inclined to rape, that jail is imminent.