Georgetown: Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry handed down two consecutive life sentences to an unremorseful Navindra Badal after he was convicted by a jury for having sexual intercourse with a nine year-old girl.
Badal also known as ‘Uncle Ravi’ was found guilty of two counts of Rape of a Child under 16 years old.
He had initially pleaded not guilty to both charges upon his arraignment.
Badal was sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the two rape charges. The sentences are to run consecutively and he will only become eligible for parole after serving 45 years on each of them.
The offences occurred during 2016 in the County of Demerara.
The convicted rapist was represented by Attorney–at-Law Maxwell McKay. The case for the State was presented by Prosecutor Orinthia Schmidt.
Counsellor Celeste Mullin who spoke with the victim, was called in court to read a victim impact statement.
According to Mullin, the young girl related to her that she felt sad about what Badal did to her.
The young girl related to the counsellor that she wants Badal to go to prison for those bad things.
Badal showed no remorse whatsoever. In fact, when asked by the trial judge if he had anything to say, Badal replied in the negative.
In arriving at a sentence for the convicted rapist, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry took into consideration that the young girl was just 9 years of age when she was violated by him.
The Judge also related that she also considered the physical, psychological and emotional scars the act has had on the young girl. The judge pointed out that Badal showed no remorse whatsoever.
She emphasised that with the sentencing imposed on Badal, the court aims to send a strong message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.
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