9 months jail for touching girl

Security guard Ashumba Francois, 26, of Pleasantville appeared before Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde-John in the San Fernando First Court to answer the charge.

The charge alleged that on October 6, while inside the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet at Library Corner in San Fernando, Estate Constable Francois, who was a customer in the fast food outlet, placed his hand under the school uniform of the child and grabbed her private parts.

The child immediately told her mother who was standing nearby trying to place a food order. A report was made to the San Fernando Police and detective constable Brent Noel began enquiries and subsequently arrested and charged Francois.

Told of the charge and how he wanted to plead, Francois said he was guilty as charged. Magistrate Forde-John then imposed the custodial sentence on the accused and ordered hard labour.