10 years jail for incestuous dad

By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter, SKNVibes.com

~~Adz:Right~~CHARLESTOWN, Nevis - A Nevis resident was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for sexually abusing his 12-year-old daughter after a sentence hearing yesterday (Dec. 22) at the Nevis Circuit Court.

Prior to the sentencing of the incestuous man, his attorney pleaded for leniency, mercy and compassion, but Justice Ianthea Leigertwood-Octave told the court that there was a 12-year-old victim who had been violated by a father who ought to have been her protector.

Her Ladyship said he is a person who was supposed to protect his daughter, but instead abused her sexually. She said incest was different from other sexual offences due to the level of relationship of the parties involved and “that is reason why the maximum penalty is life imprisonment”.

Justice Leigertwood-Octave declared that incest is on the increase in the Federation and noted it was a crime that the society views in a particular way.

“He knew who the girl was. This was his daughter, not a 15-year-old going to 16 but a 12-year-old little girl,” she stressed.

Her Ladyship said she would be sending a terrible signal to the society if she gives the man a non-custodial sentence as requested by the defence attorney; therefore, he has to be a resident of Her Majesty’s Prison for the next 10 years.