Former pastor appeals 40-year sentence for rape of girl, 15

Andrew Hannibal, who was a pastor at the time he was found guilty raping a 15-year-old girl, has filed an appeal against his conviction and 40-year sentence, arguing, inter alia, that the trial Judge failed to direct the jury on how to treat the discrepancies in the prosecution’s case.

At the end of a trial in February 2018, Hannibal, the founder of the Faith Deliverance Ministries located at Rosignol, West Coast Berbice, was found guilty as charged by a mixed 12-member jury of raping the young girl between January 29 and 31, 2016.

Trial Judge Sandil Kissoon, then, imposed the custodial sentence on Hannibal, ordering that the convict serve at least 30 years before being considered for parole. It was reported that he was caught in a “compromising position” with the teenage girl.

Besides arguing that the Judge did not direct the jury on how to treat the discrepancies, he also argued that Justice Kissoon misdirected the jury on the law of corroboration when he gave directions that the medical certificate corroborated the evidence of the victim.

He contends that the Judge’s summing up was unbalanced and that his sentence is severe, and not in keeping with established sentencing guidelines and the objectives of sentencing.

He had been a pastor for 29 years and had set up eight of his religious organisation across Guyana.

“To the victim and her family, I am sorry. I know you are hurt. I pray you forgave me as you go on with your life,” Hannibal had said in an apology after the jury returned the guilty verdict.