A security officer who indecently assaulted a 13-year-old girl in the basement of his workplace has been jailed for 12 months with hard labour. Deopersad Algoo, 38, was jailed by Princes Town senior magistrate Debra Quintyne after he pleaded guilty to the offence. The incident took place around midday on Monday at a business place in Princes Town.
The girl had gone to the clothing store with her mother. While there, she accompanied Algoo, who knows her mother, to the basement of the store. He kissed her and put a “hickey” on her breast. When her mother found out what happened, she took the child to the Princes Town Police Station where a report was made. The girl was also taken for a medical examination. WPC Flemming subsequently arrested and charged the guard.
Yesterday Algoo was represented by attorney Petronella Basdeo in the First Court who asked the court for leniency. She said Algoo pleaded guilty and did not waste the court’s time. In addition, she said he had no previous convictions or pending matters. Police prosecutor Sgt Winston Hajarie confirmed the accused was a first-time offender. A medical certificate was produced in court.
According to the Sexual Offences Act, a person guilty of indecent assault is liable on conviction to imprisonment for five years for a first offence and to imprisonment for ten years for a subsequent offence.