A. that the convict "remains a member of the community" B. that because of the alarming increase of rape offences, it is necessary to "stamp" it out by imposing long exemplary sentences; c. that he was aware that the convict was a young man, but felt compelled to impose a long custodial sentence to protect "the society and especially the young and innocent of our society." 1 D. that due to the paramount importance he accords to the protection of the victims of rape, particularly the young ' ard 1 innocent, he 1 felt compelled to I' 'l ' impose the maximum sentence of life impr \sonmef}t.l• , •Ill, 'llflt• 'Ill: ,•' II':' It is apparent from the trial judge's response t o 1111111!11• the plea in' mitigation that his primary II h. ,.,, concern was for the victim and that having weighed the considerations affecting both the ,tlijl ' •II ' . '' 1, . convict and the victim, the scales' of justice heavily tilted in fav6ur of the victim. judge's reasons for his decision 'II clearly stated. ., The trial t9 \ mpose the maimum sehtence of life imprisonment are IIIIJ'Ih 't' l I 111111 " ··• IIIIIIJ Icommend the t:rlal. judge's emphasis on the importance of protecting the victim in this I f' 11 case. I belieye• the time 'h s•1come .fo. all involved in the judicial process to be more '''" I, victim.-firntrea,te tendency , 1 IT 1s beenI• to focus much attention on the criminal to the detrimen . of thel ltt'm. The v·ctim in this case is an orphan, who at the tender age of 14 111 Ill ,11 1 If •t1 lilh 1 years was tr9um atised 1by,thdastardly act of a 29 year old man, to whom the community ••,n 1h c IIIJJ 'll 'u,l' h ad entrusted thtrai ning of his peers at a Skills Centre. The victim's ordeal started when · IIi t· I·: •)w Iho' lu11''" ed her . hlh she went to the Sl.<.ills Training Centre to collect her school uniform from the Appellant 'I illl the Appellant. ,1t I to, his house, where he raped her. Her screams for help were muffled by 1 I• 'lhh In his evidence the Af!pellant admitted he had sex with the victim and, under crossexamination, further admitted tO-" having sex with the victim in the following unr genting words (page 32 of the Record) SC NO. 2/2012 - NFAMARA SA!E)YKHAN VS.:f'HE STATE- 7TH MAY 2015 E.age I 12 •