– found guilty  by unanimous all-male jury panel
LOCALLY referred to as the ‘Boogie Man’, Kenston Drakes, indicted with rape, was found guilty by a unanimous all-male jury panel at the Berbice Assizes yesterday.
He was sentenced to sixteen years imprisonment by Justice Franklyn Holder, who reminded him that persons must feel free to walk the streets anytime. Directing his comments to the prisoner in the dock, prior to sentencing, the Judge said: “The victim was working at night to provide for herself and children when you, like an animal who wants his prey, pounced on her, violated her (and) because of what you did, she is afraid…persons must feel free to walk the streets anytime.”

QUOTE:“The victim was working at night to provide for herself and children when you, like an animal who wants his prey, pounced on her, violated her (and) because of what you did, she is afraid…persons must feel free to walk the streets anytime. The offence of rape is an offence known to man for years; with time society has not developed ….you have had sex with a woman without her consent. You have committed a wicked act and for that you must be made to feel society’s wrath. You are sentenced to sixteen years imprisonment.” – Justice Franklyn Holder to the accused.

Justice Holder continued: “The offence of rape is an offence known to man for years; with time society has not developed ….you have had sex with a woman without her consent. You have committed a wicked act and for that you must be made to feel society’s wrath. You are sentenced to sixteen years imprisonment.”

Drakes showed no emotion when the sentence was passed. He calmly walked out, being escorted by a prison official.

Earlier, when the guilty verdict was returned, the prisoner was questioned by the Court Registrar and subsequently the Judge as to whether he had anything to say, but he responded: “I do not wish to say anything.”

The victim, who was present in the courtroom at the passing of the sentence, expressed satisfaction at the Judge’s order. However, the mother of four told this publication that, despite the taunts of the convict that she would not live for the trial, she survived to tell the tale.

Police said Drakes was charged with a similar offence allegedly committed on an elderly woman but the woman succumbed, prior to the High Court hearings.

On January 11, 2009, at 23:30 hrs, the victim was returning home from work when, aided by the light of an approaching vehicle, observed Drakes whom she called ‘Ken’, standing about a foot away, on a bridge.

It was a moon-lit night as she continued her journey to a squatting area on the outskirts of the New Amsterdam Township where, on hearing a noise looked around and saw the convict close by.
“I started to scream, as I was afraid. He then placed a knife to my throat. Using a series of expletives, he   threatened to ‘bust’ it if I made more noise,” the victim related.

The mother of four recalled that whilst being led on the dam leading to her home, the convict enquired whether anyone was at home with her children and, on responding in the affirmative, Drakes diverted her to a neighbour’s  house, two house lots away, where he ordered her not to call out to ‘Rasta Man’.

Once under the neighbour’s house, Drakes cut loose the hammock, which he used his foot to spread on the ground, before ordering his victim to lie.

The security officer refused to comply, when she was pushed downwards, and ordered to undress. She refused, but the sexual predator kneeled over removing her pants and underwear in the process.

The victim said she pleaded with him not to harm her and, after realizing that he indeed wanted to commit the act, she asked him to use a condom.

However, responding with a series of expletives and with a knife to her throat, Drakes told her not to tell him how to have sex with her.

Following the rape, and the departure of the rapist, the victim called out to two neighbours and related what occurred and, as they left to find him, she telephoned a sister, an aunt and a niece, who thereafter took her to the Central Police Station where a report was made.

She was subsequently taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she was medically examined. The case was presented by State Counsel Dionne Mc Cammon, while the convict defended himself.