by Rasbert Turner, STAR Writer

spanish town, st. catherine

Diana Williams, the St. Catherine woman who was convicted for aiding and abetting carnal abuse, wept bitterly after she was sentenced to three years hard labour in the St. Catherine Circuit Court on Friday.

Williams, of Kitson Town district in the parish, received the sentence from High Court Judge Justice Bryan Sykes. The Crown had led evidence that in June 2006, the police arrested and charged Williams after it was revealed that a man had impregnated her 15-year-old daughter with her knowledge.

Detective Corporal Kirk Roache had outlined that for several months, Williams had been collecting money on behalf of the 15-year-old for her to maintain an intimate relationship with the accused man, who is said to be about 30 years old.

After the woman was found guilty, her lawyer Earl Hamilton pleaded for leniency and a non-custodial sentence. He told the Court that his client was in fear and that was why the matter was never reported to the police. The attorney said the man in question, who is yet to be apprehended, is believed to be a 'Don'.

The judge, however, maintained that a message had to be sent to persons such as Williams who are taking advantage of the youths for money.