Teenager who sexually assaulted cousin is jailed
A 19-year-old Pembroke man who sexually assaulted his 14-year-old cousin was yesterday imprisoned for 18 months.The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted to two counts of sexual assault.The assaults took place between September 1 and November 30 last year.The two were living together at the time.Crown counsel Tawana Tannock told Magistrates’ Court that the accused was 18 at the time of the first offence.He approached the victim and pushed her against a wall in their home before sexually assaulting her.The second assault occurred a few days later when the victim was at home from school, sick and asleep in bed.Ms Tannock said that after being left alone, the victim locked her door and lay curled up in bed until other family members returned home.Defence lawyer Llewellyn Peniston handed a letter from the victim’s mother to Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner.Mr Warner said: “On reading this letter, I think she wants locking up too.“This man needs help. I’m going to send him to the Co-Ed facility with the recommendation that he be given treatment for sexual offenders.”The Magistrate noted that the accused has since volunteered for counselling, joined the Bermuda Regiment and begun training for a new job.He sentenced the teenager to 18 months’ imprisonment for each count of sexual assault. The sentences are to run concurrently, with an additional two years’ probation to follow.