16 years jail term for Sophia man who repeatedly raped 13-year-old girl

Convicted earlier in the month on two counts of rape, Collin Venture was on Wednesday slapped with a 16 years jail term. Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall handed down the sentence at the Demerara High Court.

On July 13, a 12-member jury found Venture, 31, guilty of three charges of rape perpetrated on the 13-year-old girl during September and October 2020 in the country of Demerara.

Justice Morris-Ramlall sentenced Venture to 14 years on the first count, 15 years on the second, and 16 years on the third count. The sentences will run concurrently, and the convicted rapist will only have 16 years imprisonment.

Attorney-at-Law Alaira Murphy-Goodman represented the convicted rapist, while State Counsels Cicelia Corbin, Caressa Henry, and Paneeta Persaud appeared for the prosecution.

Media reports are that Venture, a friend of the teenager’s father, would frequently visit the shop where the teen would be with her dad.

The man would usually take her to the toilet, which is behind the shop, and rape her. The young girl’s stepmother subsequently found her cellphone and discovered messages between her and Venture.

The teen was then confronted, and she reportedly admitted that Venture would rape her. The matter was reported, and Venture was arrested and charged with the offence.