BARBADIANS on social media continue to question some of the goings-on in the legal system. Of particular concern recently are some sentences doled out to adult men who have had sexual relationships with minors.
Recently, a 24-year-old man was jailed for five years after a jury found him guilty of molesting a 12-year-old girl. The maximum time for the offence was six years, which was requested by the prosecution.
While some questioned the role of parents, the case prompted renewed calls for a sexual offenders’ register as well as longer sentences.
Veronica A. Piggott: A minor cannot give consent; not even the parent in this case. A minor is minor; this is what you call taking advantage. What you don’t want for yourself, do not do to others.
Wade Alleyne: He won’t be treated at Dodds the way molesters are treated in the states. In Barbados older men dealing with schoolgirls is a regular thing and half the men in the prison have probably done the same thing already.
Charles Marshall: How in heaven’s name is a 12-year-old going to force a big man into sexual activity? Where were the parents when she’s going into the drive-in? Parents, you need to keep an eye on what your child is doing on social media. This could have been worse; he could have killed her. Take heed, parents.
Marilyn Cook: You’re 24 and she’s 12 but she forced you. Electric chair. Dodds too good for you.
Gibson Jethro: He is lucky that he had to face a court in Barbados. A federal court in America would have given him about 25 to 30 years in jail for this very serious crime.
Suzie Callender: Five years? He should have got a lot longer. I don’t understand why men like him find it okay to look at a child in that way, let alone want to go farther. Sick.
Dennis Connell: Lock up the parents too. Apart from every other thing, this is a blatant case of parental negligence.
Charlie Thomas: Only five years for that heinous crime? Are you kidding me?
Joycelyn Carter: Discussed this already for the week. Sex offender registry.
Nanci: Parents need to teach girls and boys not to meet up with strangers on Facebook or any social media sites. It’s dangerous and you don’t know who you are meeting; it could be a killer or in this case, a rapist.
Daniela Gomez: What a nerve; glad to hear he got locked away. [It] should be 50 years.
• Sherrylyn Toppin is The Nation’s Online Editor.