Caribbean National Weekly

Court reduces jail term for pastor convicted of rape

By CMC News··1 min read
Court reduces jail term for pastor convicted of rape
Key Points(5)
  • The <a href="https://dpi.gov.gy/tag/court-of-appeal/">Guyana Court of Appeal</a> has reduced to 25 years the 40-year jail term imposed on Pastor Andrew Hannibal, who was convicted of raping an underage girl in 2018.
  • Hannibal had been found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girl between January 29, 2016, and January 31, 2016, in the county of Berbice.
  • The teen was reportedly left in his care for counseling and guidance at his church.
  • He had argued that the sentence imposed by Justice Sandil Kissoon was excessive.
  • The judge had informed him at the sentencing that he would have been eligible for parole in 30 years.

The Guyana Court of Appeal has reduced to 25 years the 40-year jail term imposed on Pastor Andrew Hannibal, who was convicted of raping an underage girl in 2018.

Hannibal had been found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girl between January 29, 2016, and January 31, 2016, in the county of Berbice. The teen was reportedly left in his care for counseling and guidance at his church.

He had argued that the sentence imposed by Justice Sandil Kissoon was excessive. The judge had informed him at the sentencing that he would have been eligible for parole in 30 years.

But he challenged the sentence at the Court of Appeal and the matter was heard by acting Chancellor Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and Justices of Appeal, Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud.

The Appeal Court affirmed Hannibal’s conviction but reduced his sentence to 25 years with the possibility of parole after serving 18 years.  Time in pre-trial custody will be deducted from his sentence.

CMC/

 

Related Stories

UN Security Council renews Haiti sanctions amid worsening gang violence

UN Security Council renews Haiti sanctions amid worsening gang violence

Guyana ferry disaster inquiry hears emergency beacon was unregistered

Guyana ferry disaster inquiry hears emergency beacon was unregistered

22 third-country nationals in Jamaica under IOM care

22 third-country nationals in Jamaica under IOM care

Trinidad and Tobago plans phased restart of Petrotrin refinery

Trinidad and Tobago plans phased restart of Petrotrin refinery