NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) — A Bahamas High Court judge has sentenced a 59-year-old deacon to 20 years in jail after he was found guilty of molesting a 10-year-old girl two years ago.

The prosecution had sought a 15 to 30 year jail sentence.

Justice Dale Fitzpatrick handed down the ruling to the man, who showed no emotion and whose identity has not been disclosed in order to protect the child’s identity. The convicted man maintained his innocence despite the unanimous guilty verdict of the nine-member jury.

The court heard that in January and February 2023, the convict, then 56, raped the child on three separate occasions in his bedroom while his wife, who has limited mobility due to a stroke, was in another room.

He was arrested after a school’s guidance counsellor alerted authorities.

The man was convicted of two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a dependent on May 9. The victim had been living with the convict and his wife, her maternal aunt, following her mother’s death.

Justice Fitzpatrick, in his ruling, noted the prevalence of sexual offences against young children.

“There is a problem with the frequency of these types of crimes in this community, requiring a message of deterrence and denunciation by the courts.”

Defence lawyer Dorsey McPhee had called for a non-custodial sentence, telling the court that his client was the caretaker for his wife and his mother, who is going blind.

Referring to his role as a deacon in the church, the man suggested that he could serve as a mentor to young men.

But Justice Fitzpatrick said it was commendable that the man “embraced the teachings of the Bible”.

“I know the Bible also talks about the Lord and Saviour Jesus’ affinity for children. He cherished children, recognising their innocence and trust and bringing no harm on them.

“We are dealing with an extremely vulnerable victim, a 10-year-old who was preyed on by a 56-year-old she considered as her father. That relationship should be one of safety and security. Anal penetration of your child is breach of trust,” Justice Fitzpatrick said.

The sentence will take effect from the date of conviction, and the man will receive credit for the two months he spent on remand before he was granted bail.