GANESH Lewis, 44, of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), has been found guilty of attempting to rape a four-year-old child, following a trial before Chief Justice (ag), Navindra Singh, at the High Court in Demerara.
Lewis faced two charges under the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03: rape of a child under sixteen years and attempted rape of a child under 16 years. The incident occurred on August 2, 2022, in a shed annexed to a barbershop. According to court evidence, a resident saw Lewis with the victim in a compromising position, with both the child’s and Lewis’ pants down.
The resident intervened and questioned Lewis, who then left the scene with the child. The victim’s family, aware that Lewis was a close family friend, immediately reported the matter to the police. Lewis was arrested on August 4, 2022 and denied the allegations.
During the trial, Lewis told the court that he was asleep at home when the child came to him and called out. He claimed that he later approached the barbershop to lift the child off a stool, insisting that the resident had misrepresented the situation. The prosecution argued that it would have been impossible for Lewis to hear any noise from the barbershop, as it was closed and not within earshot of his home.
After hearing the evidence, the jury found Lewis not guilty of the first charge of rape. However, he was unanimously found guilty of the alternative charge of attempted rape. Sentencing for Lewis has been scheduled for January 21, 2026. The convict was represented by attorney-at-law Ronald Bostwick, while the prosecution was led by Simran Gajraj, along with Christopher Belfield and Geneva Wills.
Lewis was first charged on January 27, 2023. Following a preliminary inquiry, he was committed to stand trial on September 21, 2024, after the magistrate ruled that a prima facie case had been established to warrant a trial at the High Court.