Two get life imprisonment for raping Pastor’s daughter

A high Court sit-ting in
Ughelli, Delta State has sentenced
two persons, described as
“notorious rapists,” Ernest Steve, 30
and Jerry Godwin, 29, to life
imprisonment for raping a 17-year-
old daughter of a Pastor.
The incident took place on
November 5, 2007 when the duo
broke into the residence of the
parents of the girl at Young Africa
Close, Ovwian, armed with a gun
and knife.
Prosecution told the court that after
robbing parents of the young girl of
valuables, they went ahead and had
carnal knowledge of the girl (names
withheld) serially, causing her
severe injuries and psychological
trauma.
Delivering judgment, the trial judge,
Justice O. Tobi said the confessional
statements of the accused admitted
in evidence during trial passed the
veracity test and was not in doubt,
saying the prosecution led by P. T.
Daubry had proved the essential
ingredients of the three-count
charge preferred against the
accused persons.
The court declined the plea for
mercy by the defence counsel,  Mr.
M. Oshemele, on the ground of law
and proceeded to hand down the
mandatory punishment for the
offence they committed as
prescribed by law.

Culled from The Guardian