PASTOR Andrew Hannibal, who is currently serving a 40-year jail term for raping a 15-year-old girl, has moved to the Appeal Court to have his conviction and sentence overturned.

In 2018, Hannibal was sentenced by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Berbice High Court, after a jury found him guilty of rape committed between January 29 and 30, 2016, in the County of Berbice.

The judge had sentenced Hannibal to serve 40 years in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.

In his appeal documents, the convict claimed that the trial judge erred in law and that the sentencing was excessive, and too severe.

As such, he is asking the court to reserve and/or set aside his conviction and sentence.

According to the facts, a sibling of the victim awoke and discovered that she was not in her bed.

As a result, their guardian was informed and a search was carried out. She was seen in an outhouse.

In response to questions, the girl confessed that she was with the pastor.

A report was made to police. Subsequently, she was seen and examined by a medical practitioner who indicated that the child had been sexually violated.