Molested teacher fearful as rapist roams freely

By Bhisham Mohamed

A teacher who was sexually molested some six years ago after her house was broken into on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is fearful that she might be targeted as the perpetrator roams the streets freely.
The woman who spoke to Guyana Times with fear in her voice explained that on July 5, 2012, the perpetrator, Godwin Hubbard, broke into her home, physically assaulted her and raped her before escaping.
The suspect, she noted, had carried out the attack on several other women who were either single or living alone. While the other victims did not want the matter to be made public, the violated teacher made a report to the Guyana Police Force and the suspect was subsequently arrested and charged for break and enter and robbery, rape and assault.
In September 2013, he was convicted on the break and enter charge and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
However, the teacher alleged that after spending several months in prison, the perpetrator’s sister who was a Prosecutor at the Providence Magistrate’s Court at the time of his incarceration, along with her fiancé, the then Director of Prison, Welton Trotz managed to get him released on probation.
She related that after the incident, she left the Essequibo Coast and now residents in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), but only recently learnt that the suspect has been enquiring about her whereabouts.
During the telephone interview, the fearful woman noted that she was constantly verbally abused by the suspect’s family, hence her reason for leaving her home.
In fact, she noted that on Wednesday, she received a telephone call from the court in Essequibo summoning her to appear at court next Wednesday as the rape case is expected to recommence.
In fear, she stated that the case was called several times, but on every occasion, the suspect was seen chatting with the jurors and as such, the case had to be rescheduled.
Upon receiving the call on Wednesday, she indicated to the orderly that she now resides in Region Three and it would be unfair if she travels to the Essequibo Coast and the case is called off once again.
As such, she intends to make her appearance and request the case to be transferred to Region Three since she understands that the suspect now resides in that region as well.
Meanwhile, Guyana Times was told that one of the rapist’s victims passed away sometime back but there are eight other women who are fearful that if they come forward, they will be terrorised by his relatives.
The victim recalled that back in 2012-2013 while attending court, she was ridiculed by the man’s family, most of them now serving members of the Guyana Police Force.
The woman noted that as the Force talked about stamping out corruption, she believes that the perpetrator’s sister who now holds a high post in the Force will do everything in her power to make sure her brother is acquitted of the heinous crime; one that she will have to live with for the rest of her life.
As such, she called on the relevant authorities to look into the matter so that justice could be served.