BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ALTHOUGH he was described as an honest, hard-working young man, Justice Francis Belle found it prudent yesterday (Jul. 15) to sentence Anthony Joseph to serve an eight-year jail term for having unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor.
On Thursday, July 8, 2010, a 12-member jury rendered an 11-1 guilty verdict against the 31-year-old Cayon resident for having unlawful carnal knowledge of a 12-year-old girl.
Before sentencing Joseph, His Lordship said that kind of crime raises a lot of issues and should not be taken lightly as the maximum sentence for the act with a girl under the age of 14 is life imprisonment.
“I’ve seen situations where a fine would be permitted because of the age difference and because it was a consensual relationship although the law does not recognise it, but a 12-year-old girl is a helpless prey…they cannot resist a big man,” he said.
Belle said that although Valnetine Moniesh and Betty-Ann Gilbert spoke on Joseph’s behalf and who both said he was an excellent painter, he has to pay for his crime.
They each gave separate accounts about the accused and said that he was an honest, quiet and hard-working man who was a skilled painter. They also told the court that he had done satisfactory jobs for them at their businesses and homes.
“I will consider the 13 months he has already spent in prison and his unblemished record and not impose the minimal sentence that I wanted to start with, and deduct the two years from the 10 years.
“Maybe you can teach people to paint. If you stay focus and try you will be able to overcome this. I hope you will grow from seeing others benefit from your skills. You might lose a few customers because of this when you return as a freed man, but if society is willing to forgive you, you will be forgiven. The court has to punish you and you will go to jail for eight years,” Justice Belle told Joseph.
Joseph’s lawyer, Hesketh Benjamin, said that his client has shown remorse and has extended it to the girl’s family. He also said Joseph has a three-year-old daughter and he appears to be an asset to society.
