AFTER being found guilty by a jury last month of raping a young girl, a 68-year-old man, Isaiah Hutson, was given a life sentence without the possibility of release until 18 years.

The custodial punishment was handed down on Tuesday by Justice Sandil Kissoon, who is presiding at the Sexual Offences Court in Georgetown.

Court records state that between January and February 2019, Hutson sexually assaulted a three-year-old girl in a community on the West Coast Demerara (WCD).

He inserted his fingers into the minor’s vagina and made her perform oral sex on him.

The girl told her mother about the incident after it happened, and the police were informed. Hutson was later arrested and charged.

Trial Judge Sandil Kissoon emphasised in his sentencing remarks, the gravity of the crime, the prevalence of sexual offences against minors, and the fact that Hutson misused his position of trust. Rape is a crime so serious that it has been classed alongside treason and murder, Justice Kissoon noted. As such, the judge gave the convict maximum punishment of life in prison.

Hutson has to spend 18 years in prison before he is eligible for release.

Justice Kissoon mandated that the convicted felon undergo counselling and therapy designed specifically for sex offenders and pedophiles in order to aid in his rehabilitation.

Significantly, the judge also ordered that the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security provide psychosocial care to the mother and rape survivour.

The case for the prosecution was led by State Counsel Yonika Rowland and State Counsel Abiola Lowe. Attorney-at-Law Ronald Bostwick defended Hutson.