Man found guilty of raping and robbing woman in 2013

(Photo- Convicted rapist: Ronald Armstrong)

A 35-year-old man, Ronald Armstrong was on Thursday found guilty of raping and robbing a woman. Armstrong, who was previously sentenced to 50 months imprisonment for trafficking marijuana into the prison, was on trial for the offences before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Following days of trial, the 12-member jury retired for deliberations on Thursday afternoon. After two hours, the jurors emerged with their decision, finding Armstrong unanimously guilty on both charges.

In light of the verdicts, the convict was remanded to prison pending sentencing which will take place on June 30 at 13:30hrs at the Demerara Sexual Offences Court in Georgetown.

Throughout his trial, Armstrong was represented by lawyer Everton Singh-Lammy while State Counsel Cicelia Corbin, State Counsel Caressa Henry, and  State Counsel Paneeta Persaud appeared for the prosecution.

According to the facts, on January 22, 2013, Armstrong, who was armed with a gun and his two accomplices broke into the woman’s house.

They robbed her of several pieces of gold jewellery, two televisions and two laptops. Before they escaped, Armstrong dragged the woman, who was at home with her baby and sister, into a room and raped her.