A man who gave his age as 47 but is said to be older was, on Thursday, jailed for indecent assault of a 10-year-old girl.
But that is not the end of Francis Jackson’s legal troubles.
On Monday, the man, who is from New Grounds and Glen, is to appear before the Family Court on an indictable charge of having had sex with the same girl.
iWitness News understands that he also has been brought up on unlawful sexual intercourse charges related to the girl’s 9-year-old sister.
On Thursday, at the Serious Offences Court, in Kingstown, Jackson pleaded guilty to a charge that, between June 30 and Aug. 31, 2019, he indecently assaulted the 10-year-old.
The matter was heard in-camera because of the nature of the offence.
iWitness News, however, was reliably informed that Jackson put the child to lie on a kitchen mat, got on top of her, and rubbed his penis against her vagina.
He committed the act in the presence of one of the girl’s cousins, who is also a minor.
iWitness News understands that there was an incident on Monday and based on that, the child reported the sex acts to her mother, who called in the police.
Jackson faced a maximum sentence of five years in jail, but Chief Magistrate Rechanne Browne sent him in for three.
He had previous convictions of a dissimilar nature, some of which are spent.
Accused persons who plead guilty get an automatic one-third discount on any sentence that the court is considering.
That discounted sentence could then be reduced or increased, depending on the aggravating or mitigating features of the case.
Jackson will not be required to plead to the unlawful sexual intercourse charge.
The court will conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine whether there is enough evidence to send the matter to the High Court for trial before a judge and jury.
A person convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse faces up to a lifetime in prison — a notional sentence of 30 years.
The penalty for that crime should have been at least 20 years.
“Accused persons who pleaded guilty get an automatic one-third discount on any sentence that the court is considering.” Might I ask who gave these INNOCENT CHILDREN a discount on their sentence??? This is infuriating!
These courts are woefully inconsistent, three years for the crime while Mr. Noel of Georgie gutter was given 45 years in jail for a similar matter.
This is very disturbing me to, and these children lives are destroyed, i pray that they will get the psychological helped they will need. I believe that this rape culture exist because the law don’t deal with these pedophilers if they were trust me, these men will walk on the other side of the street when they see little girls and boys, they have free range to walk around raping children and adults, its like a buffet to them. The pedophilers knows if they plea guilty they wont get the maximum of their sentence, they have this stupid system down packed. Also the mind set of SOME of my fellow Vincentians regarding this matter is cold, they will rather protect the abuser than the victim, in order to have changes the people first need to change how they look at certain things. As human we should look out, protect and love each other no matter what. We are the most intelligent animals the good Lord have created and also the most wicked.
He should get life fir it and no less
3 years? What the hell? That’s how we treat our children? Why isn’t he being flogged and castrated in the public square? And amputate that thing. He could pee through a stump.
Only the offence should have being mentioned and not the act. This is a minor and as a matter of fact details of any sexual assault should not be disclosed in the media
Thank you Veronica for calling this out. Often times the editor had done the same thing. The materials from the court is so raw and the editor copy paste it for the entire world to see.
Sir you are doing more damage to the victims and not the accused. Should the child read this article and replay the ordeal and then critically harm herself would you share the blame. I suggest that you pull this article or re edit it because it is distasteful.
You say he got a discount was it something that was up for sale this SOB should be castrated and given at 25 years hard labor .
These men are type of sex predator need to be lock away for a long long time hopefully there are. some sort of treatment offer but in the meantime these sexual act against children the full sentence must be given. This type of sexual behavior against our youth and young girl must. Stop you Sicko men God is watching.
Plz help me…as a man how could u have feelings for a 6… to 13 yr old not even 15 yrs can give consent…sadly these animals commit these act an gt a slap on the risk…badly they even come prison n feel like they r the most ranking in jail..can our judicial system be more effective than this.
This bastard should be charged with rape this girl are girls are still the age of a child whats going in here in. S.V.G. there are more sexual predator and rapist of children and women even father are molesting their own young daughter. We a full month of prayer in kingstown against this sexual spirit that has taken hold here in S.V.G this has got to Stop.
Hence the reason for ppl to sign sex predictor list…, there is one going around plz sign
We need justice for these child
The time given don’t fix the crime
theses are the cases that need to get a good hit on.. 3 years ? god will deal with all of you. our children today will be traumatised after all the indecent things being done to them and then face that same person free on the streets 3 years later. sad
That’s why the public takes matters into their own hands because the justice system is very weak. 3 years? That’s highly ridiculous!!!
Yes Sue-Ann. I have seen where people committing non-violent crimes get as much or more time in prison. Why is the punishment so light for this type of crime? What kind of a message are we sending would-be rapists? What happened to “tough on crime”? The Justice system seems to not be too tough on rape, especially of children.
We may end up with some tricky lawyer making the perpetrator look like the victim. Or the victim look as if she brought it onto herself.
Sex with such young women is wrong and sick no matter what the circumstances!
there needs to be a child sexual offend list for the entire Caribbean region that they should automatically have to register upon release from prison . With restrctions to certain jobs and restrict them from living with any children . same as the American system . OSTRACIZE THEM
MY GOODNESS!!!! Why the graphic details of the crime? Why are you reporting the news based on ‘hear say’?
Don’t know on GOD’S earth how these hard bk man can do such things to these little girls. 3 yrs as a discount . Sound as if its a flea Market where ppl goes to look for bargains on commodities. Am wonder if it was one of the judge girl child how would she feel or react to this sorts of sexual behavior?.
Give him the maximum penalty X 3, (two victims and the witness) because he’ll continue with his filth.
Here is an opening to the NDP to talk about how it would ensure criminals will spend years in jail. Folks start showing Vincentians how you would ensure their live, children and properties will be protected.
What is most concerning aside from the deplorable crimes of this paedophile is the manner in which it is reported. Iwitness I have said it before – until these crimes start being reported for what they are…child abuse and rape…nothing is going to change. The rhetoric in the media dumbs down these crimes and paints them as lesser than they are. You cannot continue to report these crimes as ‘sex with a 9 year old or 10 year old’ it is unacceptable- imagine if this were your own daughter or sister as a victim and you heard it described as such. Journalism has to change in SVG and has to start reporting on child abuse and rape. If you want this horrendous side of culture to change – it starts with those putting the news out there to the public. Iwitness editor – you should be ashamed of this publication and style of reporting. This type of reporting would not be acceptable in any other country!
Vincentian men, leave our children alone. Stop preying on them..They are our future. Deal with those your age!
The criminal code should be changed to include Chemical castration for the offenders.
It’s very troubling to hear about these henious crimes that have been committed on our juveniles.
These men are notorious beasts and need to be put away forever where the sun doesn’t shine or exist.
They are pleading guilty because of the twisted, and monkey judicial system in SVG which makes the crime looks as though it’s not a serious nature.
When will these laws be revised?
Who will be held accountable for our children pain, and suffering after these traumatic incidents?
Who really care for our children welfare?
#ENOUGH IS ENOUGH PUT THESE #DEMONS TO #FLIGHT #FOREVER.
TRULY CONCERNED VIEWER.
I hope the children get the counselling and support that they need.
His time will come.