Father of 9 guilty of indecency against nine-year-old girl

AFTER DELIBERATING for just under three hours, a nine-member jury yesterday found a Champ Fleurs father of nine guilty of serious indecency against his nine-year-old neighbour. Vierra Th-omas, who appeared before High Court Judge Melville Baird in the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court, will be sentenced for the crime tomorrow.

Following the verdict, attorney Nathaniel King, who represented Thomas in the matter, asked the court to be lenient with Thomas, who is the father of six daughters and three sons. He also informed the court that Thomas is married and is employed as a mason. The court heard that on September 5, 2000, the victim’s father caught Vierra Thomas, 52, performing oral sex on his daughter. The disturbed father ran into the house, grabbed Thomas and started shaking him. He then ordered Thomas out of his home. A report was made and Thomas, who had gone into hiding, was arrested and charged with the offence in October. The State was represented in the matter by attorney Althea Alexis.