BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CALVERT DOYLING removed all doubts as to whether or not he raped a seven-year-old girl when he recently pleaded guilty to committing the offence.
The Old Road resident’s case was set for trial during the May 2010 Criminal Assizes, and during its commencement he pleaded guilty to “unlawful carnal knowledge”.
Doyling appeared before the Basseterre High Court of Justice yesterday (May 20) for his sentencing hearing, where he apologised for the heinous act he committed and begged the court for a chance at rehabilitation.
The offence of which he confessed took place on April 4, 2008 at about 6:30 in the morning. According to police reports, the lawmen became aware of the incident after a report was filed by the victim’s older sister.
Police explained that the seven-year-old was taken to the Joseph N. France General Hospital, where she was treated and warded for some time.
The confessed rapist told the court that he did not know what came over him when he committed the offence, and indicated that he was consuming alcohol sometime prior to the incident, which may have influenced his behaviour.
Sentencing Judge His Lordship Justice Francis Belle scolded the rapist and described him as being “reckless” for continuing to consume alcohol, when he was aware of the effects it had on him.
Doyling, who was on remand about one week after the incident, was sentenced to serve 16 years at Her Majesty’s Prison. His Lordship ordered that he serve his sentence with hard labour.
The maximum penalty for raping an individual who is under the age of 14 years is life imprisonment.
