CONVICTED rapist Talbert Mc Pherson was sentenced by Justice Navindra Singh to 25 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of raping an eight-year-old girl, as she lay on a mattress at her great grandmother’s house, Number 30 Village, West Coast Berbice.

Meanwhile, as the court was awaiting the jury’s verdict the convict in a bid to seek help from Supreme Beings, took the opportunity to sing the famous hymn: “At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light and the burdens of my heart rolled away” and when it seemed as though that song did not bring him much comfort, he opted to resonate another old melody: “I surrender all,” before bowing his eyes in the Holy Bible, and turning a few pages thereafter.
But shortly afterwards, the unanimous verdict was out, the ten males on the jury panel, agreed with their two female peers that Mc Pherson was guilty.
Questioned by the judge, as to what he had to say prior to receiving his sentence.
Mc Pherson replied: “Sir, with all due respect, if I had taken the life of the girl, where would I have been today. I walked away. I did not do it,” he concluded.
“What a strange statement,” retorted Justice Singh.
“Nevertheless, you have been convicted. I can’t find the words to describe a person who would do such an act to an eight-year-old girl, except to say that person is sick.”
“Is this your first contact with the law,” the Judge questioned.
But, the prisoner remained speechless, staring downwards instead of looking at the judge. However, after waiting for a few seconds, and getting no response from Talbert McPherson, Justice Singh remarked: “The sentence of this court is 25 years. You are sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.”
State prosecutor Ms. Renita Singh in presenting the facts, said the eight- year- old victim, lived with her mother, a brother, an aunt, and a cousin at Number 30 Village, West Coast Berbice.
The now convicted man is known to the virtual complainant, as he lived at the house which is occupied by the minor’s great grandmother and her aunt.
On August 12, 2009 the victim’s mother had left her and her brother at the elderly relatives’ home, as she [the mother] had to attend a wake.
After watching a movie on television, with her brother, cousins and great grandmother, they were ordered to go to sleep and she did so on a mattress which was placed on the ground.
Whilst sleeping, she awoke, being bitten by mosquitoes and it was then she saw a shadow enter the bedroom.
The light from the house shone into the bedroom and the victim was able to recognise Talbert Mc Pherson known as Tally as he entered the bedroom.
‘Tally’ knelt down on the mattress, took the pillow from under the VC’s face and placed same at the back of her head.
At that time her brother was also on the mattress, however, she found it difficult to breathe while the pillow was pressed on the back of her head.
‘Tally’ pulled down her underwear, pants, jersey and the sheet and then placed his penis into her vagina and her anus. As a result, she reached out to her brother who was lying nearby, but he [the brother] turned sleepily, and the rapist got off her and went outside.
The child said it was difficult for her to sleep again, as she was trembling in fear, as she did not know whether the rapist would return.
The following morning, after awaking her brother, they hurriedly left her great grandmother’s house, for that of her mother’s to whom she related the incident.
The matter was subsequently reported at the Fort Wellington Police Station and a medical examination conducted by Dr. Htay Win at the Fort Wellington Cottage Hospital confirmed that the child was sexually violated.
On August 18, 2009 at Manchester Village, Corentyne, Detective Constable Randy Hendricks contacted Talbert Mc Pherson, who, when the allegation of rape was put to him, and after being cautioned, remained silent.
In an unsworn statement from the dock, Mc Pherson denied committing the act and raised the issue of alibi.
According to him, during the daylight hours of August 1, 2009 he was involved in an argument with a female relative of the victim. The argument stemmed from an accusation that he was getting married to another woman. Following the dispute, he left and did not return.

(By Jeune Bailey Van-Keric)