A labourer here on work permit was sentenced last week to 18 months imprisonment after pleading guilty to indecent assault. Leonet Blackman, 20, was also recommended for deportation at the end of his sentence.
Mrs. Justice Priya Levers heard details of the offence from Crown Counsel Lesley Bates and Defence Attorney Lloyd Samson.
The two differed as to how the offence occurred. Mr. Samson pointed out that the case was first referred to as defilement. The plea to indecent assault was accepted on the basis that there was contact, but not intercourse.
The incident occurred at a home where the girl was staying for a visit.
According to the Crown’s summary, the girl told Blackman how old she was but he didn’t believe her. He thought she was older.
When she went to the bathroom to bathe, he followed her and began to kiss her. She told him to stop and he left. After she started to undress he came in again wearing only his shorts.
After the touching began she made some noise because it hurt and he told her to be quiet. Then someone who thought there was something going on banged on the door. Blackman ran.
The matter was reported to police and he was arrested. He agreed he had followed the girl into the bathroom, but indicated that she had invited him. He said she initiated the kissing and touching.
Mr. Samson emphasised that by Blackman’s plea he had made it not necessary for the girl to come to court and relive a traumatic experience. Neither did Blackman have any previous convictions of this sort.
The attorney cited precedents in which the maximum sentences imposed were three years.
In passing sentence the judge told Blackman that he had got a chance in Cayman but had abused the country’s hospitality.
The plea was accepted on the basis that there was no sexual intercourse, but it was still a very serious offence. Even assault of this type could destroy a young life, she indicated.
The judge hoped Blackman would not be seen in Cayman again once his sentence was finished.
On Tuesday, 13 September, Blackman appeared in Summary Court for consumption and possession of less than a gram of ganja. He was given sentences of 30 days on each, to run concurrently with the Grand Court sentence.
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