WESTERN BUREAU — Alfred Simpson, a 34 year-old farmer of Lennox Bigwoods in Westmoreland, was on Tuesday sentenced to 15 years at hard labour by Justice Neville Clarke after he was convicted in the parish’s Circuit Court on a charge of carnal abuse.

Allegations are that in May of last year, Simpson allegedly went to the house of an 11 year-old girl who was alone in Lennox Bigwoods and sexually assaulted her.

The child reported the matter to her mother, who subsequently took her to the Darliston police station where she lodged a complaint.

Following investigations by the police, Simpson was arrested and charged with carnal abuse.

When the matter was heard in Court on Tuesday, the jurors deliberated for about 15 minutes before passing the guilty verdict.

Simpson was subsequently sentenced to 15 years at hard labour.

Crown Counsel Lisa Palmer marshalled the evidence on behalf of the Crown, while Simpson was represented by attorney-at-law Michael Palmer.

Simpson had eight previous convictions, two of which were sexual offences.