Latest update January 17th, 2025 6:30 AM
Honeymoon cut short for newly-weds ….as husband gets nine years for sexual activity with underage girl
Jailed for nine years: Troy Jackson
A 33-year-old man who got married less than two weeks ago, had to part ways with his wife after he was jailed for nine years Wednesday for engaging in sexual activity with a seven year-old- girl.
Troy Jackson, who stood before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the High Court in Georgetown, was convicted on Tuesday for the offence by a 12-member mixed jury. The jury returned with a majority guilty verdict in a 10-2 proportion. The convict only becomes eligible for parole after serving eight years.
Prior to his conviction, he was out on bail pending trial.
The case for the state was presented by Prosecutors Seeta Bishundial, Narissa Leander and Orinthia Schmidt.
The charge against Jackson stated that October 16, 2016, in the county of Demerara, he engaged in sexual activity with the seven year-old girl.
When the jury announced the verdict on Tuesday, Jackson, while sitting in the prisoner’s dock, broke down in tears. His wife and other family members who were seated behind him were in a state of disbelief.
However, sentencing for him was deferred until Wednesday because his Attorney-at-Law Adrian Thompson was absent as a result of being engaged in another matter at the Court of Appeal.
During a plea of mitigation, Thompson informed the court that his client got married on February 26.
He added that from conversing with Jackson it appeared as though he has mental issues and also, a speech problem. Further, the lawyer disclosed that his client did not have a “glorious” childhood and was forced to leave school at the primary level due to financial problems in his family.
As a result, he stated that Jackson was forced to fend for himself, thus, having several jobs.
According to Thompson, Jackson’s mother died when he was just six-years-old, while his father passed away when he was 11. “Nothing is known against him (Jackson) in terms of convictions and pending matters,” the lawyer disclosed.
Meanwhile, the victim, who expressed her views through ChildLink counselor, Celeste Mullin, said that she is upset about what she had to endure. She said that she would not like it to happen again and hopes Jackson is punished for what he did to her. At arriving at a sentence, Justice Morris-Ramlall took into consideration the nature and circumstances under which the offence occurred. She noted that the prevalence of sexual abuse against children is alarming, while outlining statistics released from the Child Care and Protection Agency.
The judge also considered the plea in mitigation made by Jackson’s lawyer. She, however, stressed that the court would have liked to hear from Jackson himself. Noting that no sexual penetration was involved or close family relations, Justice Morris-Ramlall, thereafter, imposed the custodial sentence. (Feona Morrison)
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