Jegede Hodge, 48, of Mocha, East Bank Demerara, was this morning sentenced to serve 25 years in prison in relation to four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child under 16 years.
Late last month, Hodge was found guilty by a jury. The verdicts were all unanimous.
Hodge first engaged in sexual activity with the child between May 1 and 31, 2014, when she was just 13. Again, he did it between September 1 and 30, 2014.
In 2015, when she turned 14, Hodge, again, engaged in sexual activity with her.
When the young girl turned 14 in 2015, between January 21 and December 31.
In 2017, when she turned 16, Hodge again, engaged in sexual activity with her between September 1 and 30.
On the first charge, Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall imposed a sentence of 18 years and 20 years on the second charge.
The Judge further imposed a 22 years sentence on the third charge, while a 25 years sentence was given on the last charge. It was ordered by the court that the sentences are to run concurrently.
In his address to the court, Hodge said he was sorry and begged for forgiveness. However, the Judge said she found his expression of remorse to be unequivocal and inconsistent with a probation report in which he maintained he was innocent of the crimes.
In a victim impact statement to the court, the girl said she is still traumatized by the incidents, and at times contemplated ending her life.
Further, the rape survivor expressed disappointed that her mother did not believe her when she told her that Hodge had been molesting her.
The young girl related to the court that Hodge would come and pick her up from school and carry her to different locations where he would have sex with her.
She said that on many occasions she pleaded with him to use a condom as she was afraid of becoming pregnant at a young age.
Hodge was represented by attorney-at-law, Ravindra Mohabir, while Prosecutors Teriq Mohamed and Nafeeza Baig appeared for the State.
