Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator

A sentence of 40 years' imprisonment has been imposed on 37-year-old gardener Neville Barnes, of a Kingston address who raped a woman at her home in Cherry Gardens, St Andrew in 2005.

"This sentence is a stern warning to rapists that they will serve long stretches in prison," a policeman remarked after the sentence was handed down in the Home Circuit Court.

Supreme Court Judge Majorie Cole Smith, in passing sentence, yesterday told Barnes that what he did was very awful.

She reminded Barnes of the remarks he made when the complainant asked him if he did not have female relatives.

"A Jamaica we deh," Barnes replied when the complainant asked him the question while he was about to rape her.

The Crown led evidence that in June 2005, Barnes broke and entered the dwelling house and raped the complainant. He also stole some money from her and also indecently assaulted her.

DNA samples

He was linked to the crime by the results from DNA samples he had given to the police.

The victim also pointed him out at an identification parade.

Barnes gave an unsworn statement from the dock last week denying that he raped the woman. He said DNA samples were taken from him without his permission. He said his lawyer was not present when the DNA samples were taken.

However, a policeman had deponed at the preliminary inquiry that Barnes had willingly given permission for the samples to be taken.

A jury convicted Barnes last week and sentencing was put off until yesterday.

Justice Cole Smith sentenced Barnes to 40 years' imprisonment for rape, ten years' imprisonment for burglary and larceny and three years' imprisonment for indecent assault. The sentences are to run concurrently so Barnes will serve 40 years.

barbara.gayle@gleanerjm.com