BY KARISSMA ROBINSON
A judge has sentenced former Eight Mile Rock High School teacher Andre Birbal 35 years in prison for sexually molesting his former male students. (Journal file photo)
Former Eight Mile Rock (EMR) High School art teacher André Birbal, who was last week convicted of sexually molesting two school-aged boys, will have to serve the next 35 years in prison for his crimes.
On Tuesday, Grand Bahama Supreme Court Justice Hartman Longley sentenced Birbal to 20 years in prison on one count and 15 years on the remaining counts to run consecutively. But just before handing down the sentence Justice Longely said that the sexual molestation case was "the worst" he had ever experienced. In fact, he called the acts "despicable." Not only that, Justice Longley said Birbal did not show any remorse during the trial. But as far as Birbal’s attorney, Carlson Shurland is concerned his client could not show remorse for crimes he did not commit. While under investigation for the molestation allegations, the 48-year-old Trinidadian fled the country and went to New York. On May 3, 2009 he was arrested in that city after being stopped for a traffic violation. After months of negotiations and cooperation between United States and Bahamian authorities, he was finally extradited to The Bahamas. On January 27, Birbal was convicted of seven out of nine counts of sexual molestation. Jurors believed he had unlawful sexual intercourse with two young boys. The two former students testified that the former art teacher had sex with them in his art classroom during school hours and at his apartment. But during his testimony, Birbal told jurors that one of the former students had made sexual advances toward him while at his apartment at the Coral Beach Hotel. Mr. Shurland told the Bahama Journal recently that he has advised his client to appeal the conviction immediately. According to Mr. Shurland, there are merits to Birbal appealing his case. "The charges were too broad. He was deprived of a fair hearing. Due to the vagueness of the charges and the lack of specifics as to when the alleged offences occurred, it was almost impossible for him to properly defend himself. He was deprived of defences like an alibi," the attorney explained. "It all came down to his word against the boys’ word." However, Mr. Shurland, who was appointed by the court, could not say if he would represent Birbal if the case is appealed. But, he did make it clear that in the event no other attorney is willing to assist, he would reconsider his position. "Justice requires that he be properly represented," he said.
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