A 51-year-old boat captain who lured a 10-year-old girl to his house with the promise of birthday cake before indecently assaulting her will serve a year in prison, a judge determined last Thursday.
Bernard Charles, a 25-year employee of the Bitter End Yacht Club, will also have to pay a $5,000 fine to the girl’s family because the assault prompted her to change schools, Justice Rita Joseph-Olivetti said. If he does not pay the fine, he will receive an additional six months in prison.
Mr. Charles originally pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecent assault, but during his February trial he changed his plea shortly after the girl testified. In exchange, prosecutors said they would offer no evidence for two of the counts against him.
Indecent assault is defined legally as unlawful sexual touching. Unlike the crime of rape, which involves penetration and can a carry maximum sentence of life imprisonment, the maximum penalty for indecent assault is ten years.
See the March 29, 2012 edition for full coverage.