ERROL Taylor, a 58-year-old father of six, who told the police that the Devil fooled him into having sex with an eight-year-old girl, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment at hard labour in the Home Circuit Court yesterday.

Taylor, who was found guilty earlier in the week, was yesterday chastised by Justice Marjorie Cole-Smith, who said he should have known better for a man with six children, the youngest being 17 years of age.

Before sentencing, attorney Patrick Thompson begged Justice Cole-Smith not to give Taylor a lengthy sentence, as “it would do more harm than good at his age”.

But although the judge said she would take into consideration Taylor’s age, she said that she must impose a sentence that would deter persons with the intention of committing similar acts.

The complainant told the court that on the evening of June 4, 2005, Taylor, otherwise called Dundie, lured her to his house while her mother was playing dominos with friends, and sexually assaulted her on his bed.

She said after he was finished, he told her to get dressed then took her to the side of his house, not far from where her mother was gambling, and again had sexual intercourse with her. The girl, now 10-years-old, said Taylor then placed his finger in her vagina before sending her home.

The girl reported the matter to her aunt after spotting blood in her underwear. Her aunt then reported the matter to the child’s mother, who was still preoccupied with playing domino. The child was taken to the hospital where it was discovered that she had been assaulted and the police were subsequently called in.

Taylor, who was thrashed by residents of the community, was later charged with two counts of carnal abuse and one count of indecent assault. Taylor was, however, found guilty on one count of carnal abuse.

When cautioned, Taylor told the police, “Officer, mi a big man; mi no know how me mek the Devil fool me.”