NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) — A 59-year-old church deacon has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being found guilty of repeatedly molesting a 10-year-old girl.
Justice Dale Fitzpatrick handed down the ruling last week, describing the case as a grave breach of trust. The deacon, who showed no emotion in court, has not been named to protect the child’s identity.
The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a dependent. The crimes took place in January and February 2023, when the man raped the child on three occasions inside his bedroom. At the time, his wife—who is recovering from a stroke—was in another room.
Guidance Counsellor Raised Alarm
The victim, who had been living with the man and his wife after her mother’s death, was rescued after a school guidance counsellor alerted authorities.
On May 9, 2025, the man was officially convicted. Despite his guilty verdict, he maintained his innocence in court.
Judge Sends Message
In sentencing, Justice Fitzpatrick stressed the need for deterrence in cases involving child victims:
“There is a problem with the frequency of these types of crimes in this community, requiring a message of deterrence and denunciation by the courts.”
He reminded the convict that the Bible commands love and protection for children, noting the hypocrisy of his actions as a church leader.
Failed Plea for Leniency
Defence attorney Dorsey McPhee had argued for a non-custodial sentence, citing the man’s role as caretaker for his wife and his ailing mother. The convict even claimed he could serve as a mentor to young men in the community.
But the judge was unmoved, stressing the serious breach of trust between the man and the child, who saw him as a father figure.
The 20-year sentence takes effect from the date of conviction. The man will also receive credit for the two months spent on remand.
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