Less than a year after being jailed for 45 years for repeatedly raping a 12-year-old girl, former police officer Eugene Noel is offering advice on curbing sexual assaults in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
The advice is coming from a man who had ignored — years before he became a sex offender — his aunt’s recommendation that he seek counselling for his attraction to teenaged girls.
Noel, 34, offered his opinions during the 2019 Prisons Public Speaking competition, which debated the main topic, “Can More Be Done to Combat the Rampant Increase in Sexual Offences in SVG?”
Noel is also awaiting trial on a charge that on Feb. 17, 2017, he, along with Ricardo Miller, raped a woman at Canash.
Noel has been ordered to serve 30 of his 45-year sentence for raping the 12-year-old girl whom he kissed on the first day he met and later gave her a ring and a cellphone.
He has appealed his conviction and sentence but the Court of Appeal has denied him bail, pending the appeal hearing.
Noel urged that much like cancer survivors’ advocacy against the disease, rehabilitated sex offenders be used to educate persons about sexual offences.
He identified himself as such one such rehabilitated offender who can be used in this way.
“We use recovered cancer victims to educate others about cancer. We use HIV victims to educate others about HIV/AIDS. We even use rehab[ilitated] drug addicts to educate the world about drug abuse. So why can’t we use rehabilitated sex offenders to educate others about reducing sexual offences in our society,” he said to applause.
“I believe I can be that perfect example,” he said to laughter and applause.
Noel placed third in the competition in which his participation triggered widespread disapproval on social media.
Some netizens accused the rapist of not having any shame, while others said that prison authorities were insensitive in allowing him to debate such a topic so soon after his conviction.
Noel also took part in the competition last year, and spoke about bedbugs at the prison.
Accused murderers Junior Jarvis and Alana Hudson tied for first place in the competition, according to results published by SVGTV, which appeared to be the only media house invited to the event.
At the beginning of his speech, Noel said no one can deny that SVG is grappling with the increase in crime, and, in particular, sexual offences.
“Chairperson, to combat the rising sexual offences, I strongly recommend that we must join together as a nation to put more measures in place which are lacking towards the reduction of sexual offences.”
Noel also recommended the creation of an institution to provide programmes that will focus on counselling sex offenders and potential offenders, implement rehabilitation programmes in prisons, which focus on sex offenders and also parole follow-up programme after a prisoner is released.
“Use our learning centres, churches, schools, colleges, media and radio programmes to educate those in the communities about the prevention and the consequences of committing sexual offences,” he further reasoned.
“Ask yourself, does a jail time worth sexually offending someone? No, it doesn’t. So respect yourself by respecting the decision of others. Silent (sic) does not give consent to have sex. If a girl consents to have sex with you, do your research about her age before having sex. Practice abstinence by training your mind in controlling your sexual desires.”
Noel said that according to biblical principles, sex is for married people. “So wait your turn,” he said.
“In conclusion, undoubtedly, you cannot have a positive life with a negative mind. I am of the opinion if we all work together and practice these ideas, we may be able to see a reduction in sexual offences in our country.”
He had earlier listed among the institution that fight against sexual offences, the National Commission on Crime Prevention, the 1-year-old Sexual Offences Unit, the Family Court, the Gender Affairs Unit and Marion House.
Noel, however, said that sexual offences are still increasing notwithstanding the existence of these mechanisms.
“Over the years, sexual offences have been committed by a wide range of persons in our society and these includes (sic) teachers and students, church leaders, politicians, businessmen and even law enforcement officers.”
These offences have brought shame and discomfort to both victims and offenders and, in some cases, “they have even left victims with long-term psychological effects”.
Noel said his research shows that victims of sexual offences tend to develop low self-esteem and usually struggle in opening themselves to intimate relationships and making new friends.
Sex offenders usually target vulnerable women and children who are easier to lure away, Noel further said, citing his research.
He said that the laws have not deterred sexual offenders, “and you will agree with me, also, that punishment is not the only solution.
“The damage is already done after the offence has been committed. Have we considered dealing with the issue before it is developed into an offence?”
He said SVG has failed to come together to come together to devise solution to the sexual offences.
In December 2018, Justice Brian Cottle handed down the prison sentences on Noel during a sentencing hearing in which Noel challenged his conviction and accused the jury of not considering all the facts in the case.
Noel told the court that he does not think that he should have been charged for the offences which the crown successfully argued that he committed on Jan. 13, Feb. 3 and Feb. 14, 2014 — when he was no longer a police officer.
Noel continued to deny the girl’s claim and told the court of his practices during sex, saying that they differ significantly from the girl’s account.
The court heard that Noel was involved in a “relationship” with the child, a secondary school student, who he befriended after meeting her on the street.
Evidence led by the prosecution showed that the man boarded the same bus as the girl and kissed her during the journey after he first met her encounter.
He placed a ring on her finger and went to her school the first day of the following school term.
On that day, Jan. 13, 2014, he took the girl to the restroom of a nearby restaurant and had unprotected sex with her — her first sexual encounter.
Sometime after, he went back to the school and attempted to take the girl to the restroom of the same restaurant but the child refused.
He took away the ring from the child and gave her a cellular phone to remain in contact with him.
He had sex with the girl three times on Feb. 3, 2014 — his birthday — when he invited her to spend the day with him at a house.
He had sex with the girl twice on Feb. 14, also at a house.
Police nabbed Noel after he turned up to the girl’s school in response to a letter that the school’s principal had given the child to take home to her parents.
That’s why you should spend the 30 years in prison.You know all of this, and didn’t try to control yourself?
Yes, sex offenders need to be rehabilitated just like any other criminal, but this man seems to be using clever words to get out of a prison sentence. Call me cynical, but I don’t think this is regret I’m hearing. Serve your time Mr Noel, and accept professional help. Hopefully this would be provided.
Why not confer a Knighthood on him? That is what was done to RAPISTS and EXPLOITERS under the guise of Explorers.
SOCIETAL ADVICE – THREAT OR ASSET
Rehabilitation is done in society; in the community in which ex-convicts reside or communities they frequent.
A convict of whatever crime, has never and could never be ‘…Rehabilitated in Jail.’
They are more of a ‘…Threat than Asset’ to society.
Nothing prevents ‘…currently incarcerated convicts’ from giving advice to their incarcerated colleagues.
Expressing ‘…Jail House repentance and Court House remorse,’ then being on one’s best behavior, are certainly not enough to qualify a ‘…repeat sex- offender’ or notorious criminals to give ‘…Advice to Society’ as to how it may curtail the propensities of others.
Simply put, ‘…Cats are not used to teach other cats how to watch cheese.’
They would ‘…quicker nibble at the immovable cheese’ or ‘…catch a moving rat than stand there watching it.’
I wonder if this man realized that his comment of “I believe I can be that perfect example,” he said to laughter and applause…” WILL NOT help in his appeal of his conviction.
The man basically admitted to the crime so what exactly are you going to appeal when the time comes? Surely not your conviction.
His desire for infamy will be his downfall. SMH….. This is just sickening on any level and I do agree with the masses who think that his inclusion was very distasteful.
This waste man has 2 kids with a young girl which I’m sure was also underage smh he is […] very manipulative hope he rots
He has been in and out of prison for same exact offence he needs locking away why is no one running checks on him?I really hope he dies in prison makes me sick
Ask Noel which comes first , the chickens or the eggs? Which comes first, the cart or the horse? Noel must realize the old adage one day the chickens are going to come home to roost and that is what happened to Mr Noel. The chickens are now sitting on his dinner table. How convenient for him to speak about rehabilitation. Let the bed bug do its thing and stop complaining. More so let the boys have their way with him.
It has been proven that pedophiles cannot be rehabilitated. Thus sexual offenders released from prison must remain in contact with law enforcement and the community must be aware of where they live.
Kenton, do you really think that people waiting for news about this convicted pedophile? Put more arts and culture articles please.