The Berbice High Court on Tuesday handed down lengthy prison sentences to two men convicted of sexual offences involving children under the age of 16, as the court delivered a strong denunciation of sexual violence and the abuse of trust within families and communities.
Justice Sandil Kissoon, in imposing sentence, described sexual offences against children as “appalling” crimes that continue to plague society and require a firm judicial response to protect the most vulnerable.
D’Andre Perry, 27, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for sexual activity with a child under 16 years.
The incident occurred on October 19, 2024, when Perry lured a five-year-old girl into his home in Berbice while she was walking to visit her grandfather. During the sexual assault, the victim screamed for help, causing Perry to flee the scene on a bicycle.
The victim suffered severe injuries and significant blood loss (approximately one litre) and required emergency surgery.
Perry was later apprehended at a bus park in Georgetown about one week after the attack.
He appeared before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Berbice High Court and pleaded guilty to the offence, which involved a young female relative and occurred in circumstances the court found to be a gross violation of trust.
In addressing the case, Justice Kissoon said the accused stood in a position of trust and failed in his duty to protect the child.
“The insolence, prevalence, and sexual violence within our communities is appalling,” the judge stated, noting that offenders who exploit children within family environments undermine the safety and moral foundation of society.
The judge emphasized that sentencing courts are required to impose punishments that are commensurate with the seriousness of the offence and necessary to protect the public from further harm.
Senior Social Services Officer Judith Fulton, in a probation reports delivered to the court, noted that Perry grew up in an orphanage and once worked with the Ministry of Social Protection.
He was living in a common law relationship at the time of the offence.
Fulton also informed the court that Perry said at the time of the offence he was under the influence of alcohol.
Meanwhile, the court also heard that the father of the victim is deceased.
The child’s grandmother said she lost blood and had to be rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital, and lost consciousness.
Addressing the court, Perry said he is ashamed of what he did and apologized to the victim and her family.
He said the victim’s mother treated him like a son and asked the court for forgiveness.
“I take full responsibility. I am very much sorry for what I did. If I could change the past, I would…” he said before the Judge imposed the 15-year jail term. Initially, the term was set at 25 years, and one-third was deducted as stipulated by law when the accused entered a guilty plea. The trial judge also made additional deductions for mitigating factors.
Five-year-old boy
In a separate matter, Sanjay Peter was sentenced to 23 years’ imprisonment for sexual activity with a child under 16 years.
A 12-member jury had earlier found Peter guilty of raping a five-year-old boy eight years ago.
The convict was found guilty on both indictments, which alleged that between July 1 and August 5, 2018, he raped a boy he knew to be a family member. The charges stated that he committed the acts knowing the child was under 15 years old. The case, prosecuted by State Counsel Cicela Corbin, saw seven witnesses testifying, as previously indicated by the court. Attorney-at-Law Kevin Morgan represented Peters throughout the proceedings.
During the sentencing, Senior Social Services Officer Judith Fulton, in a probation report delivered to the court, noted that some residents in the community spoke negatively about Peter and said they did not trust him around children.
At the time of the offence, he was in a common law relationship for four years.
Justice Kissoon ordered that Peter should be allowed to participate in rehabilitation programmes designed for sexual offenders during his incarceration.
The court found that the offence involved aggravating factors, including the age of the victim and the lasting psychological harm caused.
“This sentencing court is required to stand by its promises, not only to victims but to the wider society, including those who may contemplate such crimes,” the judge said.
In handing down the sentence, Justice Kissoon told Peter, “You are not worthy to dwell among humans.” Then the 23-year sentence was handed down.
Following the sentencing, the mother of the 8-year-old boy told this publication that after the incident with her son, his father reported that his colleagues were teasing him about it.
Two weeks after the incident, the man committed suicide.
The mother said her son is now blaming himself for his father’s demise.
“He has to carry it mentally,” she said. “It’s hard. He has been without a father for eight years of torment.”
However, she expressed satisfaction with the sentence.
Meanwhile, the aunt of the female victim expressed dissatisfaction with the sentence imposed in her niece’s case, arguing that the punishment should have been more severe.
“We are not satisfied. You can’t commit an act like this and then write an apology letter. We didn’t accept it,” she said.
She explained that the offender had lived in close proximity to the child for years and benefitted from the family’s trust.
“The child hasn’t been herself since. She’s frightened, shaky, and afraid of men. Any reminder brings back the trauma,” the aunt added.
Court condemns abuse against minors
In his concluding remarks, Justice Kissoon stressed that crimes against children demand serious custodial sentences, not only to punish offenders but to deter others and affirm society’s commitment to protecting minors.
“Human rights mean more than calculation or convenience. They require the protection of those who are most vulnerable,” the judge said.
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