Hilton Bonaparte, a national of the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and a male career teacher of the Washington Archibald High School was found guilty of indecently assaulting a student of that same school where he teaches.
Hilton Bonaparte of New Road Housing Project was on Monday (Feb. 29) fined EC$3,500 and given a two-year suspended sentence for indecently assaulting the teenager.His trial began at the Basseterre High Court on Monday, January 25, 2016 before Her Ladyship Justice Marlene Carter, who found him guilty on the charge of indecent assault but sentencing was deferred.
His next appearance was on Monday (Feb. 29) and Justice Carter ordered that he pay a fine of EC$3,500 in one month or serve a six-month sentence at Her Majesty’s Prison if in default.The judge also gave him a two-year suspended sentence, which would run for 12 months, and ordered that he be of good behaviour during that period. Should there be any breach of that condition, he would be taken back to court and sentenced accordingly.
The incident reportedly occurred sometime in March 2014.
According to reports reaching this publication, Bonaparte, who taught Principles of Business at the high school, had on the night in question picked up the teenager from her home and drove to an area in Frigate Bay on the pretext of wanting to speak to her.
When the teen returned home, she reportedly told her sister that Bonaparte had indecently assaulted her and the matter was reported to the police.
At the trial, Bonaparte was represented by Queen’s Counsel Dr. Henry Browne and Associates, while the virtual complainant was among a number of witnesses for the prosecution.