By Michael McLean, STAR Writer

Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth

A 41-year-old man who was charged with sexually molesting an 11-year-old girl was sentenced to six years hard labour when he appeared in the Santa Cruz Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Othneil Linton, otherwise called 'Peter', labourer of Northampton district, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault and was sentenced by Resident Magistrate Dionne Meyler-Reid.

He was sentenced to three years on each count, to be served consecutively.

Another man, a 17-year-old brother of the complainant, was also charged with aiding and abetting.

The court was told that between 2006 and 2007 the brother of the complainant took the juvenile to the home of Mr. Linton where he had oral and vaginal sex with her.

The matter was reported to the Santa Cruz police on September 7, 2007, and three days later, Linton was picked up and taken into custody by Woman Constable Yvette Graham and charged with the offence of carnal abuse.

On September 11, 2007, the accused, who had previous criminal convictions, was brought before the court where he was remanded.

Before RM Meyler-Reid handed down the sentence, she said she has been observing the behaviour of men towards young girls.

"I have observed the behaviour and trend with these men and I am putting you away somewhere, where you can reflect on how you have affected other people's lives," she said.