…judge orders psychiatric evaluation, probation report

LEON Jordan, 22, stood before Justice Brassington Reynolds at the High Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to three rape charges.

Particulars of the first charge states that on February 2, 2012, in the county of Demerara, Jordan engaged in sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16. The child was seven years old, and Jordan was 15.

The second charge states that on January 13, 2013 in the county of Demerara, Jordan engaged in sexual penetration of a child aged 14 years. He was 16 at that time.
The third offence was committed on October 25, 2016; the young man allegedly engaged in sexual penetration without consent. He was 19 years old.

With no sign or expression of remorse or resentment, Jordan said “guilty” to all three of the charges. He told the judge that nothing is wrong with him, and it is sometimes good to talk the truth. “Is better to talk the truth before you regret not talking the truth. Prison is not an easy place for people who commit certain offences. It’s hard in the day and in the night. But I just glad I talk the truth,” Jordan told the judge.

Justice Reynolds told the young man that something is seriously wrong with him. He questioned whether Jordan ever consumed drugs, but Jordan said “only herbs.”
The judge went on to tell him that he can only help serve justice, as that is his capacity, “but you need help way beyond the law, and what I can do. You need a specialised kind of help. You need to talk to the right people, because something is seriously wrong with you,” Justice Reynolds told the prisoner.

He then ordered defence attorney Maxwell Mckay to have a probation report and plea of mitigation done. Justice Reynolds also ordered that a psychiatric evaluation be conducted on Jordan. The court will return on June 26 to hear the probation report, plea of mitigation, psychiatric report, the summary of facts, and the victims’ impact statements . After hearing these, Justice Reynolds will pass sentence. The state is being represented by Seeta Bishundial and Abigail Gibbs.