Jamaica: Officer jailed for teen’s rape

CMC – Justice Leighton Pusey Friday sentenced a senior police officer to 19 years in jail after he was found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl in 2019.

The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper reported that Sergeant Christopher Bennett, 37, a veteran police officer with 15 years service, struggled to stand after the judge announced the sentence in the Home Circuit Court.

Bennett, at the time of the incident, was the head of the Denham Town Community, Safety and Security Branch and the teenager was being counselled by members of his team.

The court heard that on June 17, 2019, he offered the woman a ride from the station but took her to a place where he sexually assaulted her.

A report was later made to the police and following investigations, Bennett was arrested and charged.

His attorney, King’s Counsel Peter Champagnie had tried unsuccessfully to obtain bail.

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