Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Rape

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A man who tried to rape a woman in her home has been jailed for 15 years on Tuesday. 

Rashad Johnson, a 36-year-old landscaper, faced a potential maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

He was unanimously convicted of assault with intent to rape following a trial on July 26, 2022.

According to the evidence, Johnson went to the 18-year-old victim’s home, which also doubled as a mom and pop shop, to buy cigarettes.

When the victim turned her back to the cigarettes, Johnson followed the woman inside and pushed her down on the sofa.

Johnson laid on top of the woman and tried to take off her jumpsuit at gunpoint.

After a 20-minute-long struggle, Johnson gave up and left.

The victim gave her mother a description of the assailant and she recognized him as a former schoolmate.

As a result, she gave police a photo of the suspect.

The victim picked Johnson out from a 12-man lineup and identified him in court.

Passing sentence, Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson, noted that Johnson had a prior conviction for indecent assault, showed no remorse and pulled a gun on his victim.