BY a majority decision, a 12-member jury, on Tuesday, found Essequibo resident, Francis Gonsalves, guilty of raping a 35-year-old woman back in 2018.

Gonsalves was on trial before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Suddie High Court.

According to reports, in the wee hours of March 27, 2018, the victim was walking home from a party when she was attacked and raped by Gonsalves.

The jury, after deliberating for two hours, returned with a 10-2 guilty verdict. Sentencing was deferred until Wednesday.

Gonsalves rejected the jury’s verdict and told the court that his trial was unfair.  The State was represented by prosecutor Tiffini Lyken, while Gonsalves was represented by attorney-at-law, Ravindra Mohabir.