RAYMOND Goviea, 22, called “Ryan” of Kingsley Village, West Coast Berbice, was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment by Justice Jo Ann Barlow after he was found guilty of raping a 48-year-old woman.

Initially, Goviea had pleaded not guilty to the indictment, which stated that on September 14, 2015, he sexually penetrated the woman without her consent.
The trial was heard in camera, in keeping with the Sexual Offences Act and at his sentencing, the judge informed the prisoner that the penalty carries a maximum of life imprisonment.

The prisoner was also told by the judge that the virtual complainant was old enough to be his mother.
“She was going about her own business when you attacked and violated her. She sustained injuries and you thereafter threatened her. The sentence of this court is 24 years. However, the court takes into account the mitigation, your age, and before this incident you were not known to the police. I have taken off two years for the mitigation and one year 11 months for your period in custody. The prison officials will tell you how much time you have to serve.”

His attorney Sasha Roberts in her plea for mitigation said the prisoner is the eldest of five children and was forced to drop out of school at the primary school level. After dropping out, he started to work as a coconut peeler to supplement his family’s income.
When the sentence was handed down, Goviea was asked by the judge if he wished to say anything and in response, he shook his head and remained speechless.