Police Constable Vishram Ragoo has been jailed for 18 years for the rape, sexual grevious assault, false imprisonment and assault of a 17-year-old girl.
In passing sentence, this morning, Justice Carla Brown Antoine said the aggravating factors included that he was a police officer and he been sexually abusing the girl since she was 14 years old. She was also two months pregnant but also lost the baby a few days after she was sexually assaulted. Evidence was led that in that attack he placed his hand into her private part and used a knife and gun to threaten her.
Noting the prevalence of abuse against female minors, the judge said the court has a duty to protect them.
Ragoo, 40, of Freeport who was last attached to the Chaguanas CID Chaguanas was charged with a total of six charges but a jury presiding in the San Fernando Second Criminal Assizes found him not guilty on one of the grievous sexual assault charges on July 15.
The prosecution’s case, led by state attorneys Veonna Neale-Monroe and Collin Elbourne, was that the officer was having a "relationship" with the victim since she was 14.
Following a report made against him by the teenager, he was charged by Insp Shaun Craig on June 15, 2008.
The jury found him guilty of commiting grievous sexual assault and common assault against the girl on February 4, 2008.
He was also found guilty of rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and false imprisonment on June 12, 2008. The crimes were committed in Freeport.
During the trial, which began on May 21, the jury also heard an audio recording from the victim’s phone to support some of the allegations she made against the officer.
The State led evidence from 10 witnesses while Ragoo opted not to give evidence.
He, however, called six witnesses including two police constables, his wife and ex-wife, in his defence.
Ragoo who had ten years of service was out on bail but taken into custody after he was found guilty.
Ragoo was represented by attorney Selwyn Ramlal.
In total, he was sentenced to 43 years, but the judge ordered that the sentences run concurrently.