Pensioner to spend 19 years behind bars for raping teen

Sixty-six year-old George Robin, once highly respected for being a leader in his community, was found guilty on a rape charge and sentenced to 19 years in prison on Tuesday.

The No 30 Village, West Coast Berbice resident was recently found guilty by a 12-member jury of the offence, which detailed that on February 6, 2017 he engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16.
A probation report presented to the Court revealed that the convicted man was known in his community for being a leader and contributing to the area. It was further disclosed that Robin was a former rank in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Guyana Police Force (GPF).
However, the report investigations had found that Robin was also well known in the community for his perverted behaviour towards young girls in the area. It added that when teenage girls would visit the grocery shop owned by the convict, he would usually make sexual remarks that would make them uncomfortable. Similar incidents also occurred in school environments where Robin worked as a vendor.
Meanwhile, an impact statement prepared for the victim has revealed that the affected teen has suffered from depression and emotional trauma.
“I feel depressed and angry. I would like for him to go to jail, he deserves to be punished. I would like to forget about it but I don’t know if I ever can,” the impact statement noted.
Defence Attorney Maxwell McKay, in his plea of mitigation, asked the Court to consider the contributions Robin has made to the community, along with his age and medical status, since he suffers from hypertension and diabetes.
As such, Justice Brassington Reynolds, in handing down his sentence, stated that considering these factors, Robin will spend the next 19 years in prison where he will benefit from medical services and religious teachings, and will also grant him time to reflect on what he did.