Michael Abrams, who was sentenced to life imprisonment back in 2017 after a jury found him guilty on two counts of child rape, is appealing against his conviction and sentence. Abrams, who is now in his late 50s, at the time of his conviction had described himself as a “devoted Catholic.”
The first count for which Abrams was found guilty occurred sometime between January 1 and 19, 2016, and the second count was on January 19, 2016. The jury’s verdict on both charges was unanimous.
During the 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.
Child rapist: Michael Abrams
Trial Judge Simone Morris-Ramlall had admonished Abrams for his wrongdoings, telling him that “you say are a devoted Catholic; I hope you pray to God and ask forgiveness.” Following the guilty verdicts, Abrams said that even though the jury “in their wisdom” found him guilty, he maintains 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 doing so, pointed out that the rape convict abused his position of trust and violated the child in the worst possible way, shattering her innocence.
From the testimonies presented at trial, Justice Morris-Ramlall said it was evidence that the young girl loved Abrams. The Judge said that Abrams “pretended” to love her and treater 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. In the end, she sentenced him to serve life imprisonment on each count. The sentences will run concurrently.
He will be eligible for parole after severing 35 years in prison.
