Child rapist jailed for 30 years

Justice Rishi Persaud yesterday sentenced a child sex offender to 30 years in prison after stating that he did not “buy” the man’s remorseful statement.

“I’m sorry. I don’t buy it but it is a very convenient remorse,” Justice Persaud told Gavin Nero before sentencing him to 30 years imprisonment for raping a six year-old girl in 2012. On July 9 in the High Court, Nero pleaded guilty to the offence of rape. He was committed to stand trial in July 2013. According to state attorney Mercedes Thompson, Nero would frequently visit the six-year-old girl’s home and rape her. She said that he was apprehended in March 2012 by a police officer and had denied the offence.

Yesterday, Nero pleaded with the court to have mercy while asking for forgiveness. “I’m sorry for my actions,” he said.

However, Justice Persaud pointed out that the victim would suffer for a lifetime due to the act committed on her. He said Nero has serious psychological problems and it was not a one-off incident. “It is a little unfortunate that there is no (effective) programme for such people,” he said, while adding that Nero’s probation report also indicated that he was a victim of child abuse.