NASSAU, The Bahamas (CMC) — A 42-year-old man faces a potential maximum sentence of eight years in Bahamian prison after a majority nine-member jury in the country found him guilty of indecently assaulting the five-year-old son of his friend in November 2020.

Justice Joyann Ferguson has scheduled the sentencing of Bahamian Jose Thompson for July 8 after the jury announced its verdict by a 7-2 majority following hours of deliberations.

During the trial, the child, now nine years old, recalled how he was picked up from school on three successive days in November 2020 by Thompson and taken to his house, where he undressed him, kissed him and touched his private parts.

The abuse came to light after the child kissed his father on his lips, prompting his mother to ask him why he did that, resulting in the child disclosing the relationship with Thompson.

The mother said that after overcoming her shock, she took her son to a doctor and the police.

Thompson, who was on bail during his trial, was led away in handcuffs.