‘Sex offenders must pay’

Richards, 49, had pleaded guilty before the judge on May 2, to committing grievous sexual assault on the girl. The incident occurred on November 2, 2004. The State’s case led by State Attorney Narissa Ramsundar, instructed by Kathy Ann-Alexander, alleged that the girl went to a neighbour’s house on that day. Richards, who had been staying at the house, offered the girl a meal of dumplings and salted fish. Ramsundar told Carmona that the girl ate the food, but later fell alseep on a bed. According to the State’s case, a medical examination report stated that the girl was sexually assaulted.

Yesterday, Richards’s attorney Mewalal Chatoor, pleaded with Carmona to impose a bond on the accused. The attorney said that it was Richards’ first offence. “And, it was not an aggravated incident like the Sean Luke and Anamanthodo cases,” Chatoor said. However, Ramsundar told Carmona that given the prevalence of sexual abuse against children, there was need for some degree of punishment.

There must be, the State Attorney told the judge, a custodial sentence.

Carmona said that sexual offences against young children were high, particularly in South Trinidad. He said, “I’m looking at deterring people from committing these crimes. These courts are becoming more and more impatient with people using their families and poverty, as a shield to divert punishment away from them.”

Carmona adjourned sentencing to tomorrow, saying that he needed time to review a probation officer’s report and consider legal arguments put forward by the State and defence.

Richards was remanded into custody.