ACCUSED Andrew Collins, 20, of Ann’s Grove, East Coast, Demerara, who confessed to have had carnal knowledge with a 12-year old girl in 2007, was sentenced to five years imprisonment by Justice Roxanne George last Friday. Defence counsel, Mr. Peter Hugh, appealed to the judge for leniency.  The judge granted same after taking into account the past good behaviour of the accused, his incarceration, plus the fact that he had not wasted the court’s time.
The facts of the case disclosed that on the day in question, the girl then 12 years old was taking rubbish including a dead chicken to a garbage heap when the accused stopped her and invited her to an old house, where the accused who was then 16 years old, committed the offence of having carnal knowledge of the girl who was then 12 years old.
The judge told Collins that he should strive to be an advocate for people like himself by letting them know that the law is strict and does not allow a sexual relationship with girls and boys under a certain age, 16 years old.
Because of the age of the girl, consent is not a defence.
The accused accept the sentence calmly. Spectators in the court room said that he should consider himself lucky to get away with a five-year sentence.  His mother was in court.
Lawyers Konyo Sandiford and Zamilla Ali of the DPP’s Chambers prosecuted.