A 12-member jury, on Monday, found Gavin Assanah guilty of two counts of rape committed on a 12-year-old girl, several years ago.

Assanah was on trial before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Sexual Offences Court of the Demerara High Court.

The jury found that Assanah, during the month of August 2014, in the county of Demerara, engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 12. He repeated the offence on January 26, 2015.

The judge ordered that a psychiatric evaluation be conducted on Assanah since she observed him smiling throughout his trial.

She then deferred sentencing until October 24.

He was represented by Euclin Gomes while the State was represented by prosecutors Cicelia Corbin, Caressa Henry and Paneeta Persaud.

According to reports, Assanah was taken into police custody after the mother of the child filed a complaint against him.

The court heard that the incidents occurred at the home of the child’s mother. According to reports, Assanah was friendly with the mother of the child and frequently visited the family’s home.

After the first rape, the child became afraid and did not tell anyone what had occurred.

On January 26, 2015, Assanah visited the victim’s home again and raped her. The child subsequently confided in her relatives and the matter was reported to the police. Assanah was later arrested and charged.