Pastor of the Prophet of God Church was on Thursday afternoon remanded to prison after a 12-member jury found him guilty of carnal knowledge of a girl under age 15.

Justice Jo-Ann Barlow acceded to his attorney’s request for a probation report before sentencing.

Pastor Josiah Baptiste was visibly in shock as he was led away to prison until April 24, 2017; he is slated to return to court on that date at 09:00hrs for a probation report followed by sentencing. The verdict was unanimous and the forewoman told the court that the jury found him guilty after deliberating for more than three hours.

Baptiste on June 15, 2007 had carnal knowledge of a girl under the age 15 years old which took place in the county of Demerara. A total of 10 witnesses were called to testify in the matter which was empanelled last week.

He was represented by attorney-at-law Maxwell McKay and Folio Richards while, the state prosecutors are Shawnette Austin and Tameika Clarke.

Relatives who were at the High Court praying and singing hymns were observed crying on Thursday after the Judge announced that Baptiste was found guilty and remanded.