THIRTY-SIX-year-old Kenrick Hector was, on Tuesday, sentenced to serve 18 years in prison for raping a girl who was under the age of 16.

Hector, 36, of Linden, was sentenced by Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Georgetown High Court, after he was found guilty by a 12-member jury.

The indictment read that Hector, during the month of November 2017, at Linden, engaged in sexual activity with a child, who was under the age of 16.

The father of five maintained his innocence and told the jury “I respect your decision right, but I’m not guilty.”

Justice Simone-Ramlall sentenced Hector to 18-years’ imprisonment. The Guyana Chronicle was made to understand that Hector was known to the victim who frequently visited his home.

During the month of November 2017, while the child was visiting Hector’s home, he reportedly dragged her to his bed and raped her.