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ST JOHN’S, Antigua – After being convicted of the 2008 rape of a 10-year-old girl, Hilroy Martin has been sentenced to spend the next 10 years of his life locked behind bars.
Acting judge Keith Thom, on Friday, imposed the punishment on the now 54-year-old man who befriended his victim and raped her before engaging her in an act of serious indecency.
For the offence of serious indecency, Martin was sentenced to four years in jail and that time will run concurrent to the 10-year sentence.
The man had denied committing the act when his trial commenced in March but after the now 14-year-old victim gave an emotional testimony before then judge Richard Floyd, Martin changed his plea for two of the four offences with which he was charged. One charge of serious indecency was dropped as well as one charge of rape.
Once he admitted to the acts, the court allowed him to remain on bail pending sentencing, which was adjourned to facilitate the preparation of a Social Enquiry Report. The matter was then passed on to Justice Thom, who has taken over the criminal court following Justice Floyd’s resignation.
The court had heard the girl met Martin at her school, where he was a food vendor. He subsequently moved to her village, where he was in constant contact with her family.
One day, while playing a game of hide-and-seek with her peers, the child went into Martin’s house next door.
It was then the convict forced himself on the minor.
(More in today’s Daily OBSERVER)
