Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter
A MAN, who pleaded guilty to the buggery of several young boys ranging from ages eight to 17 years, was yesterday sentenced to seven years imprisonment.
He is 30-year-old Berth Williams, a shopkeeper of Mammee River, St. Andrew.
Justice Leighton Pusey told Williams that he took advantage of the young and defenceless children so he had to send him to prison.
He was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on each count but the sentences are to run concurrently.
Williams pleaded guilty on Monday to six counts of buggery when he appeared in the Home Circuit Court. He was also charged with indecent assault but the Crown offered no evidence against him on that charge.
PRETENDED TO BE A TEACHER
The facts of the case were that in 2004 Williams went to the boys' parents and pretended he was a teacher. He said he could help the boys with their school work and they were sent to his home. While there, he buggered them on several occasions. A resident in the community noticed what was taking place and informed the police. The boys were questioned by the police and Williams was arrested and charged.
Justice Pusey, in sentencing Williams yesterday, told him he had to take into consideration that not only were the victims young children, but also that Williams had a sense of responsibility to the children.
Williams admitted one previous conviction for buggery for which he was given a suspended sentence in 1996.
