Rapist jailed for 60 years

Anthony Harris, 21, was slapped with the sentence by Justice Devan Rampersad in the San Fernando High Court. Rampersad said the crimes for which Harris was found guilty of were too prevalent in society, and it was the court’s duty to protect society from sex offenders.

He ordered that Harris serve 20 years for the rape offence, and ten years for grievous sexual assault. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively. On two counts of robbery with aggravation, Harris was sentenced to serve two 15-year jail terms. These were ordered to be served concurrently with the 30-year sentence. Harris will therefore serve a total of 30 years in jail for the four offences.

Harris committed the offences on December 18, 2002, at a video club in Gasparillo. The State presented eight witnesses in which a nine-member panel of jurors heard that the video club owner, then 22 years old, and her brother, were in the businessplace.

At about 6.30 pm, Harris and another man, armed with guns, stormed into the club and announced a hold-up. Harris and his accomplice demanded money and robbed the cash register. Harris then took the victim at gunpoint into an adjoining bookstore. He then forced the woman to commit sexual acts, and raped her. The jury heard from witnesses, questioned by State attorney Angelica Teelucksingh, that Harris’ accomplice entered the adjoining room and also raped the victim. Harris and the other man then dragged the victim back into the room with her brother, and tied them up. The bandits then escaped with the money.

On January 9, Harris was arrested by Cpl Keith Ifill. Two days later, Harris was positively identified in an identification parade. The accomplice was never arrested.