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Dance promoter jailed 30 years for raping girl, 14 -tells probation officer he was drunk, cannot recall doing such
Claiming he was intoxicated and cannot recall having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl, dance promoter Esmond Slowe was sentenced yesterday to 30 years imprisonment for the crime. Two weeks ago, a 12-member mixed jury convicted Slowe of the offence with an 11-1 guilty verdict.
Slowe engaged in sexual penetration with the minor on December 16, 2016. The offence occurred in the County of Demerara. Probation Officer Pamela Atwell told the court that though Slowe has maintained his innocence, he had come to accept the decision of the jury.
According to the Probation Officer, Slowe told her that the night prior to when the offence was committed, he was out partying with some friends and left their company intoxicated. She further said that the convict related that he has no recollection of having sexual intercourse with the minor, although she told him they had sex.
According to Atwell, residents of Slowe’s neighbourhood as well as persons at his place of employment described him as a very quiet, easy-going person who they would see from time to time attending church. Further, she said that the residents expressed shock, since it was never felt that Slowe would commit such an act.
The probation report revealed that Slowe dropped out of school at age 14 to support his family. It was further revealed that Slowe, who is married but separated from his wife, has seven children. Apart from this, he has a two-year-old child with his common law spouse, who is currently pregnant.
In a statement to the court, the victim said that Slowe betrayed her in the worst way possible, adding that she hates him for what he did to her and how he made her feel.
Esmond Slowe
During a plea in mitigation, Attorney-at-Law Maxwell McKay adopted the findings of the probation report.
The lawyer asked the court to consider that his client is a church-goer who has no previous antecedents. The lawyer added that his client had accepted the verdict of the jurors, and holds no malice against any of them.
In passing sentence, Justice Barlow pointed out that the aggravating circumstances in this case were overwhelming. She added that the court disregarded Slowe’s claim that he was intoxicated and cannot recall the incident. Making reference to those who consume excessive alcohol, the Judge said, “People do stupid things because they are not masters of their own minds.”
The judge further told the convict, “Whatever you did was your act, you will have to face the consequences, “while adding that she could not be more lenient with the custodial sentence. In addition to the jail term, Justice Barlow ordered that Slowe undergo whatever programmes are available in the prison for sexual offenders and alcohol abusers.
The case for the State was presented by Prosecutor Seeta Bishundial. (Feona Morrison)
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