Men to serve 18, 15 years in jail for raping underage girls

Oct 30, 2019 News

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Two men were yesterday sentenced to serve 18 and 15 years in jail respectively as they were both unanimously found guilty by a jury of raping underage girls.

Selwyn Lancaster, 45, and Kenrick Hector, 36, a father of five, were both on trial before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Sexual Offences Court in Demerara.
Lancaster was charged and found guilty of raping and engaging in sexual activity with a six-year-old girl, Hector was charged for raping a girl under the age of 16.
As it relates to Lancaster, on October 6, 2018 in the county of Demerara, he engaged in sexual penetration with the underage girl. Further, a month later on November 6, 2018, he engaged in sexual activity with the minor by touching her privates. Lancaster, who was represented by counsel, had initially denied the charges. In relation to the rape charge, Justice Morris-Ramlall imposed a 15- year prison term. On the sexual activity charge, he was jailed for seven years. The judge ordered that the two sentences are to run concurrently.
According to reports, Lancaster was a frequent guest at the child’s home. It was reported that he made his way onto the verandah where the young girl was with an older sibling and placed his penis to her mouth, and also fondled with her vagina. It was reported that the older sibling complained to their mother, but by the time the woman could have reached the scene, Lancaster had already fled. He was nevertheless arrested.
At the announcement of the jury’s verdict, Lancaster appeared shocked.
When asked by trial Judge Simone Morris-Ramlall if he had anything to say in relation to the jury’s verdict, Lancaster, after consulting with his counsel said: “I really don’t have anything to say.”
Probation Officer, Simone Gaskin was tasked with presenting a victim impact statement she had taken from the young rape victim. The young girl expressed that she still feels bad and would get angry every time she sees Lancaster. She confessed that she no longer trusts some people. To this end, she added, “I want Selwyn to go to jail because of what he did to me.”
The rape victim told the probation officer; “I remember what happened but I do not like to think about it. I want Selwyn to go to jail because I feel really sad when I remember what happened.”
The child’s mother indicated to the probation officer that her grades have declined ever since the incident. Nevertheless, the family is coping with the ramifications of the incident.
In a probation report, Lancaster’s mother described him as a very loving and devoted son. However, persons in his immediate neighbourhood indicated that there were rumors that he engaged in activities of a similar nature for some time; but no formal reports were ever made to the police as he was considered to be a gentle and caring individual, the probation report noted.
According to the probation report, “It was also reported by several persons that [Lancaster] had been sexually inappropriate with them while they were children.” As such, persons in the wider community of Linden expressed no surprise at his conviction. Lancaster, on the other hand had maintained his innocence.
He told the probation officer that the accusations leveled against him are as a result of broken promises to the victim’s mother, whom he knew.
The probation report would further reveal that Lancaster is skilled in the area of Information Technology and had been employed with several private and government agencies before his incarceration. Prior to his conviction, he was employed for two years as a Master Trainee attached to the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS), a project executed by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. The probation report highlighted that Lancaster was described as a “genius” in his trade and as someone who conducted himself in a professional manner at all times.
Meanwhile, Hector who was only found guilty yesterday showed no remorse.
At the announcement of the unanimous guilty verdict he turned to the jurors and said: “I respect your decision right; but I am innocent. Nobody ain’t investigate this story properly.” He then turned to the trial judge and pleaded: “Please your worship, please see with me. This is not right. This is punishment for me and my children.”
Based on information, during November, 2017, the young girl had visited Hector’s home. However, as she was about to leave, he forced her onto a bed and had sex with her.
The victim expressed that she would often flash back at the incident in her quiet moments whether at school or home. She said that she still cries a lot and wants Hector to be jailed for what he did to her. State Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy in addressing the court in relation to rape convicts, asked that a sentence that reflects the nature, circumstances and gravity of the offence be imposed. According to her, both victims are still experiencing psychological trauma.
As for Lancaster, Prosecutor Hardy said that it took the voice of a six-year-old girl to highlight similar acts by the accused. She said that society has a duty to protect the vulnerable, in this case children. She said, too, that both Lancaster and Hector were trusted by the victims’ family, and their actions amount to betrayal.
Justice Morris-Ramlall in passing sentence, considered the nature of the offence as well as the tender age of the victims.
She also considered the circumstances under which the offences were commissioned and told both rapists that they betrayed the victims’ trust. The Judge also noted the high number of sexual offences against children originating from Linden. As for Hector, she told him that he blatantly disrespected the jury’s verdict, as he still refuses to accept responsibility despite the guilty verdict.

 

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