A FATHER of eight, Esmond Kwesi Slowe, was on Friday morning slapped with a 30-year jail sentence from Justice Jo-Ann Barlow for raping a young girl.
The 40-year-old man was found guilty two weeks ago by a mixed 12-member jury for sexual activity with a child. According to the State’s case presented by Seeta Bishundial and Abigail Gibbs, on December 16, 2016 in the County of Demerara, Slowe engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16.

The girl was 14 at the time of the incident and during his testimony, he told the court that he was drunk and could not remember what happened on the day in question.
A probation report requested by defence attorney Maxwell McKay, was read to the court on Friday, and it revealed that Slowe is a school dropout, as he left school at the age of 14. At that tender age he was forced to work and be a provider for himself and his family.

He now has seven children and a common-law wife who is expecting another child. His story however, did not take away from the victim’s impact statement. The young girl said that she was always a happy child and had good relations with everyone. But what was done to her, took a toll on her life and she felt as though she was violated in the worst way possible. The child said she hates the convict for what he did to her and how he made her feel, and she wants to see him punish for betraying her trust.

Justice Barlow said that she completely disregard his claim of being intoxicated at the time of the incident and cannot recall having sex with the little girl. She pointed out that he cannot be excused from such a horrifying act because he wasn’t sober, and he must take responsibility for his actions.

As such, judge ordered that he spend 30 years in prison as consequence for his irresponsible, inhumane actions. She also ordered that he be exposed to counselling for sexual offenders and alcohol abusers.