Former Antiguan Athlete Jailed Eight Years for Sexually Abusing Daughter

A former athlete in Antigua has been sentenced to eight years in prison for sexually abusing his young daughter on multiple occasions between 2022 and 2023.

Former Athlete Gets Eight-Year Sentence for Child Sexual Abuse

A former athlete in Antigua has been sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing his young daughter on multiple occasions, antigua.news reports.

The man's name has not been published in order to protect the identity of the child. The sentence was handed down following a High Court trial that concluded in July with convictions on two counts of serious indecency.

Justice Ann Marie Smith imposed an eight-year term on each count, to run concurrently. The man was acquitted on a third charge.

Convictions Cover Two Separate Incidents

The offences took place between 2022 and 2023. An all-female jury found him guilty of digitally penetrating the child and, on a separate occasion, placing his genitals against her rear.

During the trial, the child told the court that the abuse occurred while she was living with her father and typically happened when his girlfriend was absent from the home. She testified that her father would invite her into his bed, instruct her to remove her clothing, and then carry out the acts.

The child also stated that she later refused attempts by her father to have her live with him again, saying she feared the abuse would recur.

Child and Grandmother Both Testified

Under cross-examination, defence attorney Wendel Alexander questioned the child on whether her grandmother or another person had coached her into making the allegations. She rejected those suggestions and maintained that her account was truthful.

The child's grandmother also gave evidence during the proceedings. She described two incidents that raised concerns about the child's relationship with her father. On one occasion, the child became distressed and hid in a closet rather than leave with him. On another, the pair returned home shortly after departing because the child would not stop crying.

The grandmother denied defence suggestions that the allegations had been fabricated or that the child had been neglected while in her care.

Eight Years to Be Served in Full on Conviction Counts

With the concurrent terms confirmed, the former athlete will serve eight years in prison for the two counts on which he was convicted.

Source: Google News AG — Crime