(CMR) American Robert Benoit (59), who was convicted in Jamaica for having intercourse with a 12-year-old girl after she was handed over to him by her father for transactional sex, was on Friday sentenced to 17 years and 3 months in prison.
Benoit, who is Caucasian, was unanimously found guilty by a jury earlier this year, but had said “corruption” and racism had a part in his verdict.
Reports are that two days before Christmas in 2020, the child was handed over to Benoit by her father following a telephone call between the two men.
“Go spend the night with him and bring back money,” the girl’s father reportedly told her as she left with the American.
The child was taken to his rented home, where he had sex with her before she was rescued by police the following day.
According to the Jamaica Observer, Benoit is a regular visitor to the island, and said he was in the community to give care packages to people there.
The girl's mother said told the court she was responsible for taking care of Benoit's rented home and would go there to cook and clean for him; however, she denied knowing what transpired between him and her child, according to the Observer.
The child said that while she was at Benoit's house, she was awakened from sleep by Benoit who was atop her. She said the man had intercourse with her.
The following morning police, acting on information, showed up at the residence in search of Benoit. He was subsequently arrested and charged for sex with a person under 16.
The child's father was also convicted in relation to her abuse.
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