10 years imprisonment for sex with girl, then seven
PATRICK Narine, 34, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment yesterday, at the Demerara Assizes, for having carnal knowledge of a then seven-year-old member of his household.

Convicted Patrick Narine, sentenced to 10 years in jail.

The convict (no address given), who conducted his own defence, was found guilty by a jury two weeks ago but Justice Brassington Reynolds had postponed sentencing him, to await a probation report of his background.

Presented by Probation Officer Maria Boyce, the compilation said, among other things, that Narine had breached a trust imposed on him when he sexually assaulted the child while her mother was in hospital.

The probation officer also found that the prisoner had been previously jailed for other offences.

Asked, by the judge, if he had anything to say in mitigation, Narine said his conviction was for a crime not supported by any medical evidence and maintained his innocence.

Justice Reynolds said he had looked, in vain, for a redeeming feature but could find none.

The judge said he was saddened by the fact that the victim is likely to spend the rest of her life remembering what had happened to her when she was criminally assaulted by someone who ought to be protecting her.

Justice Reynolds expressed the hope, however, that the authorities would see to it that the young girl is given the necessary counselling which should help to remove her mental and emotional problems.

Imposing the 10 years custodial punishment on Narine, the judge said he had taken all the circumstances into consideration, including the fact that the prisoner was incarcerated for four years.

The case for the Prosecution was presented by State Counsel Latchmie Rahamat from the chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).