Fisherman given life sentence for raping 14-Y-O

For raping a 14-year-old girl in January 2021, 23-year-old fisherman Roopnarine Mahadeo was given a life sentence on Monday. He cannot be granted parole until he has served 15 years in jail.

A jury from the Demerara High Court had deliberated over the case late last month and declared him guilty as charged of the crime of rape of a minor under 16 years of age.

The in-camera trial proceedings were presided over by Justice Navindra Singh.

The prosecution’s facts were that Mahadeo, who was 20 years old at the time, sexually assaulted the child between January 1 and 12, 2021.

Mahadeo transported the child to another place after raping her at one home. The teenager was eventually brought to the Police station after her family reported her missing.

Mahadeo, for his part, had refuted allegations that he had abducted and raped the young girl.

State Counsel Abiola Lowe, State Counsel Mikel Puran, and State Counsel Marisa Edwards presented the prosecution’s case while Mahadeo was represented by Attorney-at-Law Clyde Forde.