Former cop gets 26 years for rape of girl, 7

Apr 06, 2019 News

Clinton Doris being escorted from the High Court yesterday

Emphasizing that the court needs to send a strong message to sexual predators, High Court Judge Jo-Ann Barlow yesterday imposed a jail term of 26 years on former police rank Clinton Doris who a jury had found unanimously guilty of raping a seven-year-old girl, who he lured to his home with candy.
On March 27, 2014 in the County of Demerara, Doris, 37, a father of two, of Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, engaged in sexual penetration with the underage girl, who is now preparing to write the Secondary School Entrance Examinations (SSEE). Kaieteur News understands that on the date in question, the young child was walking home when Doris, also known as ‘Masquerade Man’, lured her to his home where he said he had a “sweetie” to give her.
While there, he raped the child, and then sent her home. After the child began complaining about feeling pains, her mother enquired of her what the problem was and she related what had transpired. A report was lodged with the police. Although convicted by the jury, Doris still maintains he was never involved in any sexual misconduct with the child, says Probation Officer Harnan Sharma.
According to the Probation Officer, Doris told him that the crime for which he has now been convicted has caused much embarrassment to his family. Nevertheless, it was revealed that Doris’s father never played a meaningful role in his life and that the needs of the family were met by his mother who was employed with the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
Doris himself was also employed with the GPF as a Constable, but was later dismissed for being absent without leave. Otherwise, he worked as a porter, labourer and porkknocker. He once lived at Arakaka, Barima-Waini, and residents there, according to the Probation Officer, described him as someone who loved children and would purchase treats for them.
During the reading of a victim impact statement by Court Support Celeste Mullin, it was revealed that the victim still feels terrible about the incident and has questioned why it had to happen to her. “I have stopped going to strangers’ house and even taking things from people, even if they are known to my family. I want him (Doris) to go to jail; just looking at his face makes me sad,” the victim told Mullin.
Mitigating on behalf of the convicted rapist was Attorney-at-law Ravindra Mohabir who asked for the minimum sentence based on the ground that his client has no previous antecedents. Mohabir said that sending his client to jail for a long time would have a negative impact on his children, since he believes fathers play a very important role in their upbringing.
Justice Barlow, however, sought to outline the aggravating factors in the matter. According to the Judge, Doris abused the child while he was a grown man by luring her with treats. After the incident, he even denied the only call name the victim knew him by, Justice Barlow highlighted.
“You are still a young man,” the Judge told him. She urged him to participate in programmes for sexual offenders so that upon his release to society, he will be a better person. Even after this, Doris requested to address the court during which he expressed his disappointment that he was going to jail for something he did not do.
The Judge was quick to rebuke him and said, “I wish you well in prison,” before he was escorted by police ranks to begin serving his sentence. The case for the State was presented by Prosecutors Lisa Cave, Seeta Bishundial and Sarah Martin.
(Feona Morrison)

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