BY RASBERT TURNER, Star Writer
spanish town
A MINISTER OF Religion who sexually molested nine wards of the state was given a two year suspended sentence in the Old Harbour Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday, after pleading guilty to two counts of indecent assault.
He is Pastor Orane Ellis, 22, formerly of the Banister Church of God in rural St. Catherine.
According to investigating officer Deutress Foster-Gardener of the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offence and Child Abuse, between November 22 and December 6 last year, Ellis, who used to counsel several girls from the Yabels Girls Home close to his church, had his way with nine of the girls.
'SPEAKING IN TONGUES'
The court learnt that on occasion, the clergyman would push his tongue down the children's throat. In some instances he fondled them and had sexual intercourse with at least two of the girls. The court also learnt that the girls were between the ages 13-15.
The complainants related their ordeal to a senior person who summoned the police and Ellis was charged.
When he appeared in court on a previous occasion he pleaded guilty to the two counts of indecent assault. However, his lawyer Sean Kinghorn begged RM Lorna Errar Gayle not to impose a custodial sentence.
The RM acceded to his request and admitted that since it is the first time that Ellis is committing himself, he will get a suspended sentence. He was subsequently sentenced to two years suspended for two years.
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