Half-brother of Antigua’s PM convicted of rape

In 2019, Addison Browne , a 44-year-old bus operator and father of six, had sexual intercourse with the 13-year-old girl while taking her home in his private vehicle.

The Antigua Observer reported that the girl and her aunt were waiting outside their home for a bus to go into town when the defendant pulled up and offered them a ride. The accused, who is in his early 40s, told them that he had to stop at KFC first, and her aunt said that she did not mind and asked if he could pick up her friend.

After making those stops, the defendant dropped her aunt and her friend in front of the St John's Police Station but then was sent back home to her home with the Browne when her aunt realized that she did not have her phone with her.

The minor recalled that she fell asleep in the car but woke up when she felt the car stop. When she opened her eyes, she realized that her hands and feet were tied with white rope, and the man had stopped under a tree.

The court heard that Browne then had sexual intercourse with her before pulling her underwear back up and putting his pants on.

He then drove her home. The girl said that it wasn't until they got to the house that he untied her and threatened to kill both her and her mother if she told anyone what had happened.

In June, a nine-member jury found Browne guilty. According to Antigua Observer, on Monday, 18 July, the court heard that since the incident, the young girl, who had once been joyful, energetic and loved singing and dancing, has become quiet, withdrawn, afraid to attend school, and is easily traumatized.

The girl's mother explained to the court that whenever her daughter sees the defendant driving past, she runs inside. She also has nightmares where she would wake up screaming and fighting. The mother has to accompany her scared child to school daily following the incident.

The victim's mother denied claims that the rape allegations against the accused were false and done because he refused to give her money.

“I never asked him for money. We are not friends,” she said. “I heard he said I wanted $10,000 to do a breast job. Why would I want to do anything to my breast?”