Jesse Fyah Fined, Ordered to Pay Victim Compensation After Sexual Offence Convictions; Crown Appeals
Popular entertainer Harrison Horsford, widely known as Jesse Fyah, has been ordered to pay a total of $8,000 after being convicted of indecent assault and serious indecency, but prosecutors have already signalled their intention to appeal the sentence.
The High Court on Thursday ordered Horsford to pay $5,000 in compensation to the complainant for the serious indecency conviction and a $3,000 fine to the State for indecent assault. The prosecution has appealed, arguing the sentence is too lenient. The offences carry maximum penalties of five years’ imprisonment.
The convictions stem from an incident on Oct. 27, 2020, involving a woman in her early twenties who had known Horsford for several years and previously had a casual relationship with him.
According to evidence accepted by the jury, the complainant accepted a ride from Horsford after encountering him that day. The court heard that after stopping briefly at his workplace, Horsford drove toward Bolans, telling the complainant he needed to meet someone in Darkwood about a billboard.
When they arrived, there was no meeting. Prosecutors said Horsford then made unwanted sexual advances, kissing the complainant without her consent. As she resisted, he grabbed her by the throat, exposed and touched her breasts and forcibly touched her private area while telling her she belonged to him.
The complainant repeatedly demanded to be taken home, but Horsford instead told her to get out of the vehicle and walk.
A passing motorist stopped and picked her up. The driver later testified that the complainant was crying, visibly distressed and clutching her clothing before taking her directly to the Johnson Point Police Station.
Horsford denied the allegations in an unsworn statement, which meant he was not subject to cross-examination. He told the court he had offered the complainant a ride after seeing her standing in the rain and claimed they had a friendly conversation during which he offered to help her find employment.
He further alleged that the complainant asked him for $3,000, which he refused, before he dropped her off. Horsford said he only became aware of the allegations later that evening when the complainant accused him of rape in a Facebook message. He said he responded by warning her not to spread false rumours or he would have his attorney write to her.
The jury rejected Horsford’s account, returning guilty verdicts on both counts after deliberating for less than an hour.
Horsford, who was 33 at the time of the offences, was remanded into custody immediately after the verdict was delivered before Justice Ann Marie Smith in May while awaiting sentencing.
In imposing sentence, Justice Smith said Horsford appeared to believe the complainant was promiscuous and that this justified his actions. The judge rejected that reasoning, stressing that every woman has the right to refuse sexual advances and that her decision must be respected.
George Lake represented Horsford, while Crown Counsel Curtis Cornelius prosecuted the case.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Entertainer Jesse Fyah Fined $8,000 After Sexual Offence Convictions; Prosecution Appeals Sentence.