Judge condemns 'reprehensible' rape

A high court judge has condemned as "criminal and morally reprehensible” the rape of a young woman by a man she was once in a relationship with.

Justice Kathy Ann Waterman-Latchoo this morning minced no words as she rebuked Lemuel Smith, 31, for his “shockingly offensive behavior.”

Smith pleaded guilty to raping the woman on February 13, 2013, grievously assaulting her sexually and choking her.

Telling him rape is not to be tolerated, she said the act was the “ultimate violation of self.”

“It cannot be righted and diminishes all humanity,” she said, adding that it left life-long psychological scars on the victim.

For rape, Smith received a sentence of 20 years, but will serve seven years, eight months and a day.

Smith was represented by attorney Shervon Noreiga.