Two child rapists sentenced to life

Jul 16, 2023 News

Court Journal…

By Renay Sambach

Kaieteur News – On Thursday, two child rapists were sentenced to life imprisonment. The sentencing judge granted one parole only after serving 30 years, while the other is not eligible for parole.

Jailed, Mark Samuels

Wesley Bazil called “Trappy”, a shopkeeper, was on Thursday sentenced to life for raping a 15-year-old girl. After he was found guilty of the crime, last month, Bazil had attempted suicide in court.

On Thursday, he was sentenced by High Court Judge Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara Sexual Offences Court.

At the sentencing hearing, the court also heard that Bazil was convicted of a similar crime in New Jersey, United States, and after serving his time, he was deported to Guyana.

Also, the victim impact statement was read to the court. The victim said that being sexually assaulted was the most traumatizing experience which has impacted her life. The victim also told the court that being sexually assaulted affected her to the point where she dropped out of school and engaged in self-harm. The court also heard that she frequently ran away from home.

According to reports, during the month of December 2020, the child would visit Bazil’s shop where he sexually assaulted her. During the month of January 2021, the child was sent to Bazil’s shop and when she arrived, Bazil took her to the back of his yard and raped her. Two months later, the child’s parents found messages in her phone with her confiding in a friend about being sexually assaulted by Bazil.

Jailed, Wesley Bazil

In this case, the state was represented by prosecutors Nefeeza Baig, Tiffani Lyken and Praneta Seeraj. In her address to the court State Prosecutor, Tiffani Lyken, reminded the court of the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence. She even asked the court to impose a sentence that would send a strong message to deter like-minded offenders.

For his part, Justice Singh in his remarks highlighted that Bazil pleaded not guilty to the charges, which resulted in the victim going to trial. The judge called Bazil a calculated predator who showed no remorse for what he has done to the child. Justice Singh then imposed the life sentence on Bazil, noting that he is not eligible for parole.

Last month, a 12-member jury found Bazil guilty of two counts of rape. The jury returned with the verdict some three hours after deliberating.

After the verdict was announced, Bazil attempted suicide. He took out a razor blade, and attempted to slit his own throat. However, swift action by the court officers averted a tragedy. Bazil was rushed to the hospital in an unconscious for medical attention.

Moreover, thirty-two-year-old Mark Samuels who was found guilty last month for raping a 13-year-old girl, was on Thursday sentenced to life for the offence.

Samuels was sentenced by High Court Judge Justice Navindra Singh, also at the Demerara Sexual Offences Court.

According to reports, on January 27, 2021, Samuels touched the girl inappropriately before raping her. After she was raped, the child told her mother and the matter was reported to the police.

The victim impact statement was read to the court by the victim. The child told the court that what Samuels did to her has scarred her and changed her life significantly. The victim, who is now 16, told the court that Samuels took her confidence away before calling him “dirt.”

For his part, Samuels pleaded with the court to be lenient with him, after saying that he is sorry for what happened. He begged Justice Singh to impose a light sentenced so that he can be able to be a part of his two minor daughters’ life.

However, in response, Justice Singh asked Samuels “How can you be sorry for something you claim you did not commit?”

The judge added that he thinks Samuels will say anything to secure his freedom. It should be noted that according to Samuels’ probation report, he maintained his innocence of the crime.

At the sentencing hearing, the judge sentenced Samuels to life imprisonment, adding that he is only eligible for parole after serving 30 years behind bars.

In this matter, the State was represented by Tiffini Lyken.

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a shopkeeper, High Court Judge Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara Sexual, Wesley Bazil called “Trappy”

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