The Court of Appeal on Tuesday “reluctantly” cut a convicted rapist’s sentence from 25 years to 24 years due an error by the trial judge.
When 29-year-old Christopher Forbes was sentenced in 2024, presiding Justice Jeanine Weech-Gomez erroneously said his lack of remorse was an aggravating factor that she considered in determining an appropriate sentence, the Court of Appeal said.
Due to this mistake, the panel of Justices of Appeal Milton Evans (president), Bernard Turner and Gregory Smith allowed Forbes’ appeal against sentence.
Forbes profusely thanked the panel for the reduction in sentence.
Forbes’ conviction stems from an incident that took place in southern New Providence on May 6, 2022.
The victim was on her morning walk on a main road when Forbes, who was armed with a cutlass, grabbed her arm and dragged her into the bushes.
Forbes raped the woman twice and took two cellphones and Apple AirPods from her, before leaving her naked and tied up.
Evans said, “We hope that if and when Mr. Forbes is released back into society, he returns a changed man because this type of behavior cannot be countenanced by society.”
Forbes committed the offenses just months after his release from prison for rape and assault with intent to rape.
