House arrest

A teenager who pleaded guilty to defilement of a girl under 14 has been placed on probation for two years.

In passing sentence, Mr. Justice Alex Henderson included several conditions. One is that the defendant is to observe a curfew from 6.30pm to 6.30am. The judge indicated he was setting these hours because he hoped the defendant would get a full time job.

‘If you do well on your probation, I’ll let you out of your house arrest after 18 months,’ the judge told the teen.

According to facts set out by Crown Counsel Scott Wilson, the defendant was 17 and the girl was 12 when they first met at the girl’s mother’s house. The offence took place there. The defendant used a condom at the time.

The girl apparently had contact with him on two other occasions.

At some point the girl was medically examined and found to be pregnant. The father of the baby was unknown, as the girl acknowledged having sex with another man.

Defence Attorney Lloyd Samson urged the court to consider that the incident occurred during the course of a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship and that the age difference was not great.

He emphasised the defendant’s early guilty plea and co-operation. There had been other problems in the past, but nothing of a similar nature and the defendant could benefit from continued rehabilitation, Mr. Samson suggested.

The judge asked what his realistic sentencing options were. He wondered if there were any institutions other than Northward Prison that he could send the defendant to.

Mr. Samson raised the possibility of community service. That is when the judge said he would prefer to see the defendant with a full-time job.

‘If you were an adult, with your record and this offence, I’d send you to Northward,’ the judge told him. Instead, the defendant would be given a chance, but it would require some effort from him. Failure to comply will mean coming back to court and being sent to prison.

His probation order includes being of good behaviour, reporting to the probation officer as required and submitting to random drug tests. He is not to be found in possession of any weapon or alcohol or illegal drugs.

He is to be inside his place of residence between 6.30pm and 6.30am. He is permitted to be absent four hours per week on Sundays for the purpose of going to church and he maybe absent for medical purposes.