Judge:

IN SENTENCING a man to three years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl, a High Court judge yesterday declared the courts would exercise zero tolerance on sexual predators.

Justice Anthony Carmona imposed the sentence on Siparia resident Carl Richards, 49, for sexually assaulting the child two years ago. Richards pleaded guilty on May 2, to a charge of sexual assault.

The State submitted that on November 2, 2004, Richards was at his neighbour’s home when the girl went over to his house. Richards offered the girl a meal of dumplings and salt fish, which she ate. She then fell asleep on a bed and it was then that Richards committed the sexual assault.

State attorney Narisa Ramsundar was instructed by Kathy-Ann Alexander while Mewalal Chatoor was Richards’ counsel. In delivering sentence in the San Fernando Second Criminal Court, Justice Carmona said: “The courts owe a duty not only to the victim but, indeed, the society as a whole to impose such punishment as would reflect its utter contempt for such a deed.” The judge told Richards that the punishment should serve as a deterrent to other would-be perpetrators, expecially those who operate in the bosom of the home and in an atmosphere of trust.

Justice Carmona said he took in consideration that Richards spent two years awaiting trial and that he had pleaded guilty. But the judge noted that sexual attacks against children continue unabated.

“And as much as you (Richards) did not rape the child, you have left her with psychological trauma and scarred,” the judge said. Justice Carmona ordered Richards’ sentence to start from May 2 — the day he pleaded guilty.