Man jailed for attempting to rape ‘special needs’ girl
A bus conductor will spend the next four years in prison after he abducted, buggered, and attempted to rape a child with special needs.
Kevin Durrant, who was 18 years old at the time of the offence, appeared at the High Court before Justice Rickie Burnett last Friday, December 20, 2024, where he was sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
Durrant was charged that on March 1, 2021, at Redemption Sharpes he abducted, committed buggery, and attempted to rape a 17 year old “special needs” girl.
He had initially denied the offences on September 20, 2022, but changed his plea to guilty during his trial on February 23, 2024.
The virtual complainant was a 17 year old intellectually impaired special needs child. She was heading to a shop to purchase an item, when Durrant approached her and asked that they engage in sexual intercourse.
The virtual complainant declined. However, Durrant pulled her into a house. She attempted to pull away, screamed, and cried, but Durrant persisted.
After Durrant’s attempt, the virtual complainant tried to run away. However, Durrant continued to press her to have sex with him.
In a social inquiry report it was revealed that Durrant’s father was absent from his life, and his highest level of education was primary school.
Durrant’s family and community described him as quiet, mannerly, and helpful. He was never admitted to a mental care centre.
The maximum sentence that Durrant could have received for attempted rape was life imprisonment, or 30 years. The court considered that the virtual complainant grew scared and withdrawn following the incident.
She has also suffered serious physical and psychological harm. However, the court found that there was a lack of violence and pre-meditation used in the commission of the crime.
The court also found that Durrant was young and immature, and credited him for his guilty plea. He will therefore serve a remainder of four years, one month, and 21 days in prison, as he had already served time on remand.
The court also considered that Durrant was described as hardworking and respectful, that he pleaded guilty to the offence and he had already served time on remand. Therefore, he will serve one year, one month and 21 days in prison for buggery.
As for abduction, the court considered that no violence, premeditation or planning was used in the commission of the offence. The court did not find anything aggravating of him, but found that he was young and lacked maturity.
He was also given a discount for his guilty plea and time spent on remand, resulting in a sentence of one year and 21 days. These sentences will run concurrently to each other.
Editor’s Note: Article has been updated to reflect the sentence for the charges of buggery, abduction and the discount for pleading guilty.
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