Linden man jailed for life, another gets 9 years for separate rape charges

One man was jailed for life with parole not before 18 years, while another was sentenced to nine years in prison, both for child rape. In the first case, a life sentence was imposed on 33-year-old Troy Chapman of Republic Avenue, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) who raped a sleeping three-year-old.

When he appeared before Sexual Offences Court Judge Sandil Kissoon earlier this month, Chapman pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16. His sentencing hearing was adjourned to Tuesday.
He committed the offence on June 15, 2021, at the toddler’s home.
According to the prosecution’s facts, Chapman was known to the child’s parents and he regularly visit their home. On the day in question, the child was left in Chapman’s care and while the child slept, he carried out the unlawful act.
A passerby caught him in the act and alerted the child’s parents who called in the Police. The incident was also captured on the home’s Close Circuit Television (CCTV).

As he does in all rape cases, Justice Kissoon reprimanded Chapman for violating the child.
According to the Judge, the increase in sexual offences against children has become alarming, and the court needs to send a strong message to perpetrators, that such crimes would not be condoned.
In this regard, he said the court must impose sentences that will deter like-minded persons. The Judge said that rape is one of the gravest crimes against humans, and went on to describe the sexual assault on the toddler as “disturbing and horrific”.
Meanwhile, in a separate matter, Andrew Blackman, 28, a construction worker, of Wismar, Linden, Region 10, was handed a nine-year jail sentence for the rape of a girl, 14. He was also sentenced on Tuesday.
Like Chapman, Blackman also pleaded guilty to a charge for the offence of engaging in sexual penetration with a child below the age of 16.
Blackman, who had known the teenager’s father for several years, committed the offence between September 10 and 11, 2021. The prosecution’s case was that he raped the girl while they were in an abandoned building.
Justice Kissoon, in condemning Blackman’s actions, told the convict that he preyed on the girl when she was most vulnerable.
Justice Kissoon, in his sentencing remarks, pointed to several aggravating factors, including the prevalence of child rape in Guyana. He said that too often, children who he described as “our most precious assets” are being sexually abused by mature men.
The mitigating factors considered by the Judge were Blackman’s expression of “real remorse”, his unblemished criminal record as well as his early guilty plea.
Justice Kissoon said he believes that the convict is a good candidate for rehabilitation based on his favourable probation report. According to the Judge, the circumstances of this case, do not warrant a life sentence, the maximum penalty for this category of rape.
The High Court Judge made it clear that the courts will not turn a blind eye to the alarming rape situation in the country, and will ensure that offenders are punished condignly.
The victim, during an interview with a probation officer, expressed that she feels “bad” that Blackman took advantage of her while she was still a child. It was recommended by the probation officer that Blackman undergoes psychological treatment to help him become a better individual.
In calculating a sentence for the convict, the Judge commenced at a base of 15 years from which one-third, which is equivalent to five years, was deducted for his early guilty plea. From the 10 years remaining, a year was deducted for mitigating factors, bringing Blackman’s final sentence to nine years’ imprisonment.
In arriving at sentences for both convicts, Justice Kissoon took guidance from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)—Guyana’s apex court—in rulings in two sexual offences cases from Guyana, namely, Calvin Ramcharran v the DPP and Linton Pompey v the DPP.
Both Chapman and Blackman, who were represented by Attorney-at-Law Teriq Mohammed, were credited for time spent on remand. State Counsel Paneeta Persaud, State Counsel Caressa Henry, and State Counsel Cicelia Corbin were the prosecutors in the two cases.