Man on trial for sexual assault on eight-year-old girl

The trial of a man who allegedly forced an eight-year-old girl to perform oral sex on him continues today at the High Court of Justice.

The accused man pleaded not guilty to the charges of indecent assault and unlawful sexual connection when he appeared before the High Court on Wednesday.

The child testified yesterday that the accused man resided at the home of a close relative when the incident occurred on January 25, 2009.

She told the court that the incident took place while that relative was out and another older relative was confined to a bed in a separate room.

“I was watching TV in the drawing room…He asked where was [relative]… I told him that she went to a meeting…He started kissing me on the long chair in the drawing room. He held my hand and he brought me to my [relative] room,” the girl recalled.

“He told me if I wanted a lollipop… I told him no. He told me to unzip his pants and take out his penis. Then he ask me to suck his penis… I felt a bitter slimy thing in my mouth and I went to spit it out in the sink. I went to the drawing room. He came too,” the victim told the court.

The following day, the child told her cousin, also eight-years-old, about the incident. Her cousin advised her to tell her mother, which she did.

After telling her mother, a report was made to the police.

Yesterday, three other witnesses presented their evidence on the matter in favour of the prosecution, while the accused man proclaimed his innocence on the witness stand.

He blamed the entire episode on hatred that the victim’s relative and her church had for him and his church. He insisted that the entire thing was a fabrication.

Dominica News Online will provide an update on this matter as soon as it becomes available.

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39 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    June 19, 2011

    he actually even cum in the child’s mouth. am surprised he didn’t make her swallow it

  2. Anonymous girl
    April 14, 2010

    His A** should go jail, and STAY there

  3. Forbidden
    January 29, 2010

    Believe it or not. I know this child is speaking the truth and I applaud her. I have been a victim in a similar situation. Parents take heed, most times our kids encounter this sexual abuse problems its by people we know, supposedly close friends, family or aquaintances, people who always frequent the homes and our kids are close to them, sometimes they even affectionately, out of respect call them Uncle.

    Parents your kids are not too young to give then the pep talk of sign to look out for. Your friends should not be your kids friends, a line must be drawn. Please do not allow your daughters to sit on your friends when they visit your house or otherwise, these men are vicious and is up to only one thing. Please do not leave your kids to the voltures of the day. There are many sleep overs happening today, when your kids sleep out do u know how safe they are? do u know what atmosphere surrounds them while u sleep comfortable in your bed? Do u monitor changes in your kids behaviours?

    I appeal to all, not only for your daughters but our boys are sadly being molested too.

    Let’s all be real, KIDS DON’T JUST MAKE UP THESE STORIES. IF YOU WANT THE TRUTH, TALK TO A CHILD, THEY WILL SAY IT AS IT IS.

    LITTLE GIRL I applaud you for your bravery, next time whatever the situation is if you feel uncomfortable scream as loud as you can someone will hear and run to your rescue. This I have taught my kids. These bastards also try to threaten you if you tell, this proves they are doing something wrong so that the time you tell the fastest.

    I remember a friend of my mom would visit regularly and would always want to measure my height butthat would be done only with me standing infront of him, then I would suddenly feel this thing in my back, I then got afraid of him. Kids sense wrong, they sense danger. Please be proactive and take control of any situation that may arise in your innoscent kids lives. We brought them on earth, we have a responsibility to protect them.

    • Unknown
      April 28, 2020

      vultures? men are vultutes? you sound like a feminist.

  4. A Dominican Woman of Substance
    January 29, 2010

    I feel saddened,angry and annoyed at the parents, law-makers,some of us in this Dominican society,but most especially totally disgusted at this ‘sickness’… the perverted sh** that these perpetrators are committing against children! This rampant asault that has taken hold in these days.You are destroying their innocence and trust, their lives, their perspective on what the world is before they have barely arrived in it!

    More over it is stunning to see the comments being made by some, doubting the child’s testimony of sexual abuse. You make it seem like it’s the child’s fault that she did not resist the advances of this child molester! She is a child, this person is an adult, commiting an act that is not only legally wrong, but morally unacceptable under any and every circumstance!
    Shame on you! Don’t encourage those perverts out there. As long as there are enough people within our society fueling “doubt” about child molestation, the cycle will continue…

    PARENTS! Be more vigilante about your child’s/childrens protection and care. Be certain that those in whose care you sometimes leave them, share these concerns. These ‘sexual vultures’ are sometimes your friend, lover, relative or neighbour. Speak with your children about good and bad touches as soon as they are able to understand(pre-school level), but do not end there. Let the education and information be on-going as the child matures, to the level of their understanding; that way there will be less room for discomfort if attempting to broach the subject out of the blue to an older child or a teenager.
    Your concern to provide other basic needs for them of food, clothing and shelter should not take precedence over the protection of their physical, mental and psychological needs.

    The courts are filled with these cases, and we all know or have heard of a child that these acts have been committed against. Reading the court files here on DNO will show you that this is a common thread of discussion on here almost every week .
    What are we doing in this International Year of the Child to help put ‘de brakes’ on this ‘cancer’ in our midst?!
    What are we doing on any given day, to be proactive in stopping ‘these acts of abuse that we see or know of’ that are happening in our own homes, neighbours homes, friends homes, etc…
    Speak up! for these little ones who have their whole lives ahead of them, listen and do not judge them, when they want to share their burden with you, inform parents, guardians, the police, social workers,etc…
    Organize and sign petetions, to change laws in favour of children’s protection. Be persistent to this cause so policy makers will be forced to address these issues.
    If we are not, or refuse to become the keepers of our children, then who will be?

  5. Maggiedumpling
    January 28, 2010

    Thank you mentally disturbed you are very kind. I love dumplings too, whole wheat flour and corn meal with smoked turkey and red beans or lentils or pigeon peas. By now you must have heard the verdict. Guilty. While it is a cause for some form of personal satisfaction, we should refrain from making a jubilant celebration. In the whole scheme of things we must continue to educate our children, pray and be each others keeper. Hope this serves as a deterrant to others who have or had the propensity to commit this or similar acts.

    God bless you and God bless the Commonwealth of Dominica.

  6. A Voice
    January 28, 2010

    I am very confused by the fact that some people are pointing to the little child indicating that she could have defended herself by doing this or doing that.

    While you guys are saying that eight year olds are way advanced these days, maybe she is not one of them. Who knows, maybe she could be the aggressor here for all you know, but that DOES NOT excuse this son-of-a … I believe that there are certain crimes, when committed, in which people forfeit their right to exist in society and this is one of them.

    You know, many people would not agree with me for what I am about to state here, but this whole situation points to broader society and what I call the ‘Lust-ful eyes’ of men (i.e. both men and women). Things that are deemed sexually perversed and taboo are more and more becoming totally acceptable and the new fad within society. I could delve into that further but I would be straying too much off the topic at hand, but is that same ‘Lust-ful eyes’ that makes an adult look a small shape-less child and find them sexually stimulating. Or make someone look at an animal and see it as sexually stimulating too.

    This is new fad that we as a society ought to combat, its the ‘Lust-ful eyes’ .

    We are sending mixed signals to our children as to what is acceptable or not, hence it may be that our children might be thinking that adults making sexual advances towards them might be acceptable, the fad, the norm, who knows? This may just be what this little girl was thinking, hence causing you guys to believe that she did not put up a defence.

    The only way that society can combat these things is by stronger legislation. The children are our future and we cannot be sending mixed signals to them. We ought to leave this world, to our children, a much better place than we inherited from our parents.

    We as a society ought to pass legislation to define what is acceptable or not and hold the culprits totally responisble. Like I stated, defy them of their rights to exist in society. Or else at the rate we are going, poor our children. More and more our children will be exposed to all manners of sexual perversions and all we will be stating is that they are way advanced and not the same as children of old.

    We have to set examples and get rid of these predators within society.

  7. January 28, 2010

    It is illegal for parents or guardians to leave their children under age unsupervised. Please note.

    Do not leave your children any where and with any one.

    We must always build that strong trust between parents and children.

    It was reported that the CHILD WAITED THE NEXT DAY AND

    INFORM HER 8 YEAR OLD COUSIN ABOUT THE INCIDENT.

    Then mummy got to know about it ….and maybe daddy too.

    Parents let us be careful with our kids and educate them.

    The case is on going, but if find Guilty , give him the full, maximum weight
    of the penalty.

  8. Been There
    January 28, 2010

    When put it a situation like that….as a child, even the toughest kids can be a victim. Shock has a way of taking over your entire body. But also educating your children goes a very long way…do not be afraid to let them know about sex once they have understanding LET THEM KNOW and the rate kids are growing up soon they will be crawling out of the woman talking. KIDS ARE SMARTER THAN WE ALLOW THEM TO BE.

  9. Anonymous
    January 28, 2010

    an eight year old child will not lie like that this is to much pain for a child off that age to go throw
    if this was my child i do,not no wat i would have don

    • No Pun Inended
      March 21, 2014

      A good place to start is English 101.

  10. Mentally Disturbed
    January 28, 2010

    MaggieDumpling? are you kidding me. I’m just from eating some dumplings, not you Maggie, but actual dumplings. Well I ask 4 it so u gave it.
    There would be so much less violence and problems in this world if we tried to live by that simple old adage that cuts across all religions, time and peoples.
    Peace to ya too Mrs. Dumplings.

  11. Diedra Summers
    January 28, 2010

    it’s appalling that individuals would find a way to blame the child, an eight yr old? how can we even try to justify the actions of this man. the child is a child, she needs to be protected, the man is the adult, the protector. once this incidents indeed took place this man needs to feel the full wrath of the law…

  12. STRAIGHT FORWARD
    January 28, 2010

    There is something in this story from the child which does not make sense, it does not add up. Eight year old s are to smart these days. the only fair justice is from God. The truthfull part will prevail for the secret of man is just for a time as the truh must come out.

  13. Maggiedumpling
    January 28, 2010

    Mentally Didisturbed: My sincere apologies in my haste to post the comment I did not fill in my name. I thank you for your response. It is me Maggiedumpling that wrote the comment. In my everyday life I try not to b judgmental, I try to put myself in the other person’s place, and for the most part, attempt to be fair continuing the old adage “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.

    God bless you.

  14. Praying for our children
    January 28, 2010

    People, please be aware this DISGUSTING crime is not just done by a stranger. Please be aware we CANNOT TRUST anyone around our children, uncle, cousin, friend, or neighbour. It is usually a family member or friend , someone who the child trust, who does this act. Talk to your kids, let them trust you, so if anyone attempts to hurt them they will not be afraid to come to you or anyone else. Let them know that you believe them first. We’ve got to arm ourrselves (by talking to our kids and let them know that you believe them) in order to defeat these MONSTERS in our society. I cannot stress this enough, talk to your kids, they know more than we give them credit for. I pray that one day we will be able to tie these DISGUSTING individuals and STONE THEM TO DEATH!!!!!! I think this is when they will get the message.

  15. Mentally Disturbed
    January 28, 2010

    @Anonymous

    I’ve never seen better words expressed here on DNO. This is as fair, non-judgmental and precise as I’ve seen in quite a while. I just can’t add anymore to that.
    Hats off to ya mate whomever you are. (coulda use a pen name tho).

  16. DA MAN IN BOSTON
    January 28, 2010

    HOW SAD

    for confused to make such statement, have me wandering if confused had to defend theirself in such a situation befor? sound so insensitive and defensive. kudos to the responders to such statement.I am confused of the person thinking, RESPECT THE CHILD. A MEN.

  17. Maggiedumpling
    January 28, 2010

    Angel:

    Your 20/20 Monday morning quarter back as it relates to this child is easier said than done. This thing called INTIMIDATION is stronger than most of us think, Authority figures (be they law enforcement, politicians, pastors/priests, teachers, sports coaches/figures, older persons, doctors and nurses) etc, can by their very presence and tone silence a child without giving them a direct spoken order. Yes, children nowadays appear to be wiser beyond their years – yet they are still CHILDREN. i agree this matter needs to be investigated, however, the slant that some people are taking that somehow this CHILD is WRONG or to BLAME for what allegedly happened to her is SAD, SAD, SAD and is one of the leading reasons why children do not report such abuses and the perpetrators go for many years unpunished. WE SHOULD NOT SHIELD THE MOLESTORS AT THE EXPENSE OF INNOCENT CHILDREN. LET US TRY OUR BEST TO ERADICATE THESE VERMINS FROM THE FACE OF OUR SOCIETY!!!!!!

  18. Thoughtful
    January 28, 2010

    Steve and Confused have excellent points.

    Most of the posting here are based on raw emotions only.

    While I abhor people who exploit children we need to be very careful in cases like these. To many of them end up with the “accused” being sent to prison only to discover many years later that the entire thing was completely false.

    My wife works in the family court system (not in Dominica) and it is amazing how many cases she have to deal with where parents and grown ups coax and manipulate children to make up stories against people in the courts. It is so bad that an entire task force was formed to deal with that problem.

    The prosecution must proceed with extreme caution as people automatically make up their minds in terms of guilt when it comes to children.

    That said, I say if he is found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, then he should face the full impact of the law.

  19. sharma
    January 28, 2010

    HEY ST.LUCIA HAS IT NO 5 MURDERS FOR THIS MONTH …AND A YOUNG WOMAN WAS SHOT IN HEAD BUT SHE HAVENT DIED.. BUT THE BULLET IS STILL IN HER HEAD …AS A CONCERN D/CAN
    PLEASE ASK GOD TO GUIDE AND PROTECT OUR YOUTH….CAUSE ALL THE CRIME THAT HAPPENING HERE IN ST.LUCIA IS AMONG THE YOUTH THEMSELVE

  20. Angel
    January 28, 2010

    one needs to investigate that very well…am not saying it did not happen, but, i think this child should have also called out to the other relative who was cbonfined to the room, she could have said no to the mans instructions as well. Children of today are not like those in our days…they are very much more advance…

    to this crearture …i would burn that dick out of your body..

  21. Former Woman Police Constable
    January 28, 2010

    TO CONFUSED:

    The child is 8 years old… she may have common sense but there is no place for double jeopardy here. I mean, no double victimization. She is already a victim and instead of applauding her for coming forward and having the courage to stand in court, (my God, this is hard) …. you want to victimize her a second time saying she has common sense and something is wrong? An adult has a certain authority over a child….she does not need to be intimidated to have to do what he/she is told. He is the adult, he should have known better….
    You are of course no better than he is for thinking that way. Kuddos to that child because there are lots more out there who are victims who suffer secretly and even those who have complained to relatives who do not believe them or who command them to shut up… good job sweetie.

    Parents need to be more vigilant… even those who should care betray your trust

  22. January 28, 2010

    Confused! Do you want the every detail before you can believe that this happened. If you are an adult you should know that it did not happen just like that. The man had to lurr the girl to that place. If if is fabricated and this man goes to jail innocently then time will tell. These ppl’s life will be tormented.
    There is a lesson to be learnt that when you have little girls, tie them to you where ever you go

  23. Anonymous
    January 28, 2010

    Confused by the tone of your post you appear to victimize the CHILD twice. This man is an adult and while you allege that the child should know the proverbial ‘right from wrong’, don’t you think your logic is a bit twisted, to say the least. It should be the other way around. This grown man is the one who should know ‘right from wrong’ and have enough respect and self control not to take advantage of a CHILD. In his lame attempt to justify his horrific act of…, he sluggishly points to a pseudo feud between her relatives and his church. God help us when men and women fail to curb their demonic desires and visit that kind of horrific act on a CHILD.

    I long to see the day in Dominica, and by extension the world, where men and women will respect the dignity of children (boys and girls), preserve their innocence and find partners that have reached adulthood rather than scarring an innocent child for life. In addition, I long to see the day when the world, Dominica included, through its justice system will have in place appropriate measures of punishment for those who commit such acts. Today, as I write there are millions of children around the world who face this hideous acts and these acts go unreported, because for whatever reason, poverty, intimidation and persons like you Confused who turn the table on the victim and refuse to believe that grown men and women sexually molest, rape and commit incestuous acts on CHILDREN.

    Finally, my prayer and plea is that we adults take note of the decadence that result of such acts and ask God to help us deal with those situations. We are a society of laws and I would not encourage any parent to take the law into their own hands. However, it is easy for me to sit behind a computer and pen these words since it is not my child (son or daughter). I urge everyone to talk to their children and do not turn a blind eye and deaf ear to this cancer in our society. Be your own advocates and demand from your elected officials STRONG legislation that will assist the judicial system to met out punishment that act as a deterrent to these men now and in the future.

    Let us collectively pray for this child and her family that God will help them cope with this horrendous event and also pray for this alleged perpetrator that he will, if he did commit that act, own up and seek professional help after serving the maximum sentence.

    May God bless the family, may God bless Dominica and all the abused children in the world.

  24. January 28, 2010

    You know now women have ppl have to demontrate at the court house when they have these type of trials. A minimum of 20 years these ppl should get or castrate them. I strongly stand for castration and let it be known that we will have less of these type of crimes in Dominica and let it be known that Dominica has set the standard for other nations. Start the castration NOW.

  25. REV.Pastor RAWLS
    January 28, 2010

    Praise the Lord, I really don’t know what is going on these days, when we have grown men who don’t respect children, these men should be locked behind bars for a very long time. There should be no sex offenders roaming the streets, that is why parents should never let people who are not related to their children visit their homes when they are not home, don’t let them tell them how pretty they are, I am sure this man had been keeping his eyes on that child for a long time. Don’t let them hold any such conversation with your kids, don’t let them take anything from people who are not family. Build a wall around your kids, because all they are doing is gaining their trust.
    Too many times we trust People just for trusting sake,what can any one find in those pure and innocent little angels,Jesus Christ said let the little Children come to me,not too those old dirty men.

    Rev.Pastor Rawls,Mount Calvary.
    web site,http://rawlinspacquette.weebly.com

  26. steve
    January 28, 2010

    This is a case where the proecution has to do their work and prove that that child is making a truthful statement. This man may be sent to jail for years for something he committed or something he didnt commit. Does the defendant have a rap sheet ? If the prosecution case is proved beyond reasonable doubt then i hope the defendant rot in jail.

  27. Irie
    January 28, 2010

    I highly doubt de poor child would have made a story up like that. It’s time we enforce stiffer penalties for these types of crime. These pedophiles are destroying little innocent children, these crimes scar the children for life, and at the end of the day you hear the men only getting 5 years jail, only to repeat the same nasty behaviour again….I think castration should be a just punishment for these crimes. These men using their penises as weapons to harm people children….The law must permanently remove That weapon from them.

    Until we tighten up these laws we might reach a stage when a parent ends up on trial for taking the law into his/her hands, because 5 years for these grave crimes does not seem just at all.

  28. January 28, 2010

    I not saying it not possible or it didn’t happen, but something about that story just not making sense to me. The child is 8 years old and have common sense and know Right from Wrong yet still she never resisted to any of the requests of the guy. Doesn’t that seem strange?

    The man didn’t have any weapon to intimidate the child, yet still she never resisted….. The only time she said “no” is when he asked her if she wanted a lollipop.

    He started kissing her and she didn’t tell him to stop or say anything at all, an 8 year old child that going to school? Children are so smart in this 21st century.

    I find she followed his instructions to well considering she was not threatened or intimidated to do anything! Something is not right @ all…

    After the act was done he still didn’t threaten the child not to tell anyone which would have normally been done… I waiting to see how this drama unfolds… … …

  29. January 28, 2010

    oh my god i hope that judge lock that man up for good. 8 years show his face tell us his name let the people see that DOG

  30. To DNO
    January 28, 2010

    ……

    …..and as for dat man dere, i hope they .. .. in jail. asking the poor child if she want a lolipop?!!! I WOULD CUT OFF HIS PENIS AND SHOVE IT DOWN HIS THROAT….dats just what he deserve. fabrication my..!!!!

  31. stupes
    January 28, 2010

    dominicans are full of mouth…. love to talk.. they always talking about if this if that…when it happens they do nothing but creep into a corner…. u see murderers, drug men, and women walkin about free like its heaven…people just talk talk talk….. if i happen to ur child, will u do something? no

  32. cello
    January 28, 2010

    We need to see who the bloody criminal is

    why show a pair of scales this does not tell me anything about the criminal. We need to know who these types of people are so as to protect our selves and our loved ones from mishap.

    Publically embarras him so that he will experience what the child went through.

    There are too many child abuse of any kind goin on in dominica. sometimes parents are aware especially single mothers who are leaving with boyfriends or husbands who are not the childrens blood father ,.but becaue they ( boyfriends, husbands, lover/s) provide food and drinks the single mother accepts thier children to be abused without saying anything. ( they suffer in silence)

    this must stop I am calling on a public flogging and castration ( we did it to cyril no balls. we can do it again) put an end to this despicable nasty behaviour, this is desgsuting and can ruin a child, turn him / her into a hater of the opposite sex which is not really necessary allow these children to grow up into adultwood without any stains so that they can enjoy proper love. stop abusing the kids.

  33. January 28, 2010

    that is so stupid…but if he is basing it on hatred …then why would the child make such lie…….i really need to get this straight.

  34. L'Empresse
    January 28, 2010

    That is pure ***** afos DA man does sicken me!!! I believe these things are happening fuh true… so what he think it is na? woman he cannot get so he going behind lil children!!!my little sister for a man to come and try that on wi see if my name not reachin on DNO for batery…hehehe… someone needs to teach them a lesson..but then again the justice system not too strong..you might all see that man walking the roads in a few weeks

  35. HELP ME FATHER
    January 28, 2010

    LORD JESUS HELP I HAVE 1 DAUGHTER AND IF THAT EVER HAPPEN I WILL KILL A MAN
    I WILL KILL A MAN I WILL KILL A MAN

  36. Candid
    January 28, 2010

    Hmmn… that is something… an eight year old child? That’s really disgusting and when you think of it, I feel for that child!

  37. lisad
    January 28, 2010

    Why would an eight year old have such a graphic recollection of the incidence if it was a fabrication?These peadophils need to stop.

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