CoA reserves ruling in convict’s appeal against life sentences for child rape

Having completed hearing all arguments, the Court of Appeal is now set to rule in the matter brought by Michael Abrams against his convictions and two life sentences for child rape.
Following the completion of the arguments on Monday morning, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards announced that the court would now take some time to consider the appeal and that notices would be sent out announcing the date on which it would issue its decision.
The convict was represented by Attorney-at-Law Glenn Hanoman while Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Natasha Backer presented the State’s case.
Michael Abrams, aged in his 60s, was found unanimously guilty on two counts following a trial before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall and a jury at the Demerara High Court in 2017.

The first count of rape, for which Abrams was found guilty, occurred between January 1 and 18, 2016, and the second incident was committed on January 19, 2016.
He was sentenced to life in prison on both counts; the sentences will run concurrently, and he becomes eligible for parole after serving 35 years.
Abrams, who had previously described himself as a “devoted Catholic”, in his appeal, is contending that the verdicts are unreasonable and the prison terms are manifestly excessive.
He argues, inter alia, that the trial Judge failed to adequately put his defence to the jury, and this has amounted to a grave miscarriage of justice. In the circumstances, he is asking the Court of Appeal to set aside both his sentences and convictions.
During trial proceedings, which were held in-camera, the court had heard the testimony of Abrams inserting his finger into the six-year-old girl’s vagina, and also sodomising her.
Judge Morris-Ramlall had admonished Abrams for his wrongdoings, telling him, “You say you are a devoted Catholic, I hope you pray to God and ask forgiveness.”
Following the guilty verdicts, Abrams had said that even though the jury “in their wisdom” had found him guilty, he is maintaining his innocence.
“This situation makes me feel sad. I felt like the accused [Abrams] would try to hurt me,” the rape survivor had expressed in a victim impact statement.
For her part, the State prosecutor had urged the court to impose the maximum sentence on Abrams, and, in so doing, had pointed out that the rape convict had abused his position of trust, and had violated the child in the worst possible way, shattering her innocence.
From the evidence, Justice Morris-Ramlall had said, it was evident that the young girl had loved Abrams. The Judge had said that Abrams “pretended” to love her, and treated her “like a beast.”
In sentencing the child rapist, the Judge took into consideration the aggravating and mitigating factors, as well as the circumstances surrounding the case. (G1)