Latest update March 19th, 2026 12:35 AM
Corentyne man jailed 12 years for rape, assault of woman in her home
(Kaieteur News) – Anthony Jeffrey, a 29-year-old labourer of Kilcoy Village, Corentyne, was on Wednesday sentenced to 12 years and eight months for raping a woman after breaking into her home.
The sentence was handed down by Justice Deborah Kumar at the Berbice High Court in New Amsterdam, following Jeffrey’s guilty plea to rape, contrary to Section 33 of the Sexual Offences Act, Chapter 8:03, Laws of Guyana, and assault causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 49 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.
According to Prosecutor Marisa Edwards, the attack occurred around 12:30 hrs on March 4, 2024, at the woman’s home in the Chesney Housing Scheme, Corentyne.
Anthony Jeffrey, convicted for rape and assault, being escorted out of the Berbice High Court on Wednesday
The court heard that the victim was asleep when she was awakened by a noise at her window, only to see Jeffrey standing inside her bedroom with a white T-shirt tied around his head.
Startled, the woman screamed and attempted to escape, but Jeffrey grabbed her by the hair, dragged her back into the room, and began assaulting her. He dealt several blows about her face and body while threatening to kill her with a cutlass.
During the ordeal, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, the woman was held by the neck as Jeffrey attempted to sexually violate her.
The prosecutor detailed that Jeffrey initially inserted his finger into the woman’s vagina and made repeated attempts to achieve penetration. After failing, he performed oral sex on her and again attempted penetration.
The attack was interrupted when a neighbour, alerted by the commotion, went to the window and shouted at the accused, who was positively identified. Jeffrey attempted to flee and was pursued by the neighbour, but managed to escape after a scuffle.
The victim was later taken to the Port Mourant Hospital and subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital for further medical attention. She later reported the matter at the Rose Hall Police Station and was medically examined on the same day.
Jeffrey, who had previously been employed by the woman as a labourer, was arrested and remanded on March 8, 2024.
In her victim impact statement, the woman told the court she remains deeply traumatised, has lost her self-confidence, and now struggles with intimacy. Medical reports presented indicated that she suffers from severe anxiety, depression, and symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder, requiring ongoing medication.
In outlining aggravating factors, Justice Kumar highlighted the accused’s unlawful entry into the woman’s home and bedroom, her vulnerability while asleep, the use of violence and threats, the physical and psychological harm caused, and the prevalence and seriousness of the offence.
The judge noted that the attack represented a grave violation of the victim’s privacy and personal security, compounded by the accused’s persistence during the ordeal.
However, mitigating factors included Jeffrey’s guilty plea, his expressed remorse, and the fact that he had no prior convictions.
A starting sentence of 20 years was applied for the rape charge but was reduced after considering his early plea and time already spent on remand.
Jeffrey was ultimately sentenced to 12 years and eight months for rape, and three years and four months for assault. The sentences will run concurrently, as they stem from the same incident.
He was represented by attorney Kevin Morgan.
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