The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A WEST End man who was convicted in the Supreme Court in Grand Bahama of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor of the same sex will learn his fate at a sentencing hearing in early April.

Fred Williams, 45, of Bahama Beach, West End, was found guilty by a jury on February 8 of one of three counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old boy, who testified at the trial.

At his trial, which opened on January 28, Williams was alleged to have sexually assaulted the boy from October 2016 to November 2016; again in February 2017, and November 2017.

A jury of six men and three women heard evidence from a medical doctor, police officers, and other witnesses, including the complainant's mother, best friend at school, and a school guidance councillor.

Williams - who also took the stand and gave evidence from the witness box - admitted to knowing the teen, but denied having any sexual relationship with him.

After two weeks of testimony, the jury found the accused not guilty of the incidents in October 2016 by a vote of 7-2, and the incident in November 2017 by a vote of 9-0. The jury, however, found him guilty of the incident in February 2017 by a vote of 7-2. According to evidence, it is alleged that Williams took the complainant to BORCO fuel pipeline in Pinder's Point where he had the teen perform oral sex on him.

Sentencing is set for April 4, 2019.

Carlson Shurland represented Williams. Erica Kemp of the Attorney General's Office appeared on behalf of the Crown. Justice Estelle Gray Evans presided over the matter.