Man pleads guilty to raping woman during home invasion

A Corentyne man has pleaded guilty in the Berbice High Court to raping a woman during a violent home invasion.

The accused, Anthony Jeffrey, also called “Tony” admitted to one count of rape and a second count of assault causing actual bodily harm, arising from an incident that occurred on March 4, 2024.

According to the facts presented by State Prosecutor Marisa Edwards, the 39-year-old complainant was asleep at her Corentyne home around 00:30h when she was awakened by a noise coming from a window. Upon opening her eyes, she observed a man entering her bedroom with a jersey tied around his head.

When she began to scream and attempted to escape, the intruder grabbed her by the neck, pushed her onto the bed, and assaulted her.

The court heard that the complainant made repeated attempts to flee but was restrained and beaten. During the ordeal, the intruder threatened to kill her, claiming he was armed with a cutlass and a gun, causing her to fear for her life.

The prosecution said the man forcibly removed the woman’s clothing and raped her. As the struggle continued, the jersey covering the intruder’s face came off, and with the aid of the bedroom light, the complainant was able to see and recognise him.

Evidence presented to the court showed that the accused lived in the same neighborhood as the complainant and had previously worked as a labourer at her home.

A neighbour later responded after hearing the disturbance and shouted at the intruder. The accused fled the scene, and although the neighbour pursued him and a scuffle ensued, he managed to escape.

The prosecution stressed that the complainant did not consent to the accused entering her home, assaulting her, or sexually violating her.

Following the incident, the woman was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital and later transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where she received medical attention. After being discharged, she made a report at the Rose Hall Police Station.

Medical evidence placed before the court detailed several injuries, including facial and neck injuries consistent with assault, as well as injuries consistent with sexual violation.

The court was also told that later on March 4, 2024, the accused was contacted by police, informed of the allegation, and cautioned. He initially denied involvement but later admitted to entering the woman’s bedroom while intoxicated. He subsequently agreed to an audio-video recorded interview, during which further admissions were made.

Jeffrey pleaded guilty when the matter was called before the court.

The trial judge ordered that a probation report be prepared ahead of sentencing. The court also directed that psychiatric evaluations be conducted on both the complainant and the accused, along with a prison conduct report on Jeffrey.

Sentencing has been scheduled for March 5, when both the prosecution and defence attorney Kevin Morgan are expected to present aggravating and mitigating submissions.