Justice Deborah Kumar-Chetty on Wednesday sentenced a Berbice man to 12 years in prison for the offense of rape committed against a woman.Anthony Jeffrey, 29, of Kilcoy, Berbice, appeared in the Berbice High Court before Justice Kumar-Chetty and pleaded guilty to two charges stemming from March 4, 2024: unconsented rape of a woman and assault causing actual bodily harm. By pleading guilty, Jeffrey waived his right to a trial by jury.Prosecutor Marisa Edwards stated that around 12:30 a.m., the complainant awoke to a noise from her window. The attacker, wearing a shirt over his head, entered the bedroom, threatened her with a cutlass and a gun, restrained her, and assaulted her.Prosecutor Edwards said Jeffrey removed her clothes, inserted a finger into her vagina for about ten seconds, and attempted to have intercourse, also pressing and inserting a finger again for about ten seconds. A neighbor shouted, the attacker fled, and a scuffle with a pursuer took place.The complainant was taken to Port Mourant Hospital and later to New Amsterdam Hospital. Medical records noted injuries including dental impressions with dried blood, forehead lacerations, a neck imprint, a suction mark on her chest, vaginal tears, and related secretions.Jeffrey initially denied involvement but later admitted the details in an audio-video interview.While delivering the sentence, the judge considered several factors related to the rape and the assault during the act. Subsequently, the judge sentenced Jeffrey to 12 years and 8 months in prison for the rape. Additionally, he received a sentence of 3 years and 4 months for assault causing actual bodily harm.Justice Kumar-Chetty mentioned that the sentences will run concurrently and that time spent on remand will be reduced from the sentence.During the sentencing, the victim and a relative were present. Jeffrey, who had no relatives present, appeared calm during and after the proceedings.
