Grenada: Ex-cricketer Stafford jailed after pleading guilty to rape

A former national cricketer was on Friday sentenced to 11 years behind bars for rape.

Handel Stafford, who had earlier pleaded guilty to the charge, told television news reporters outside the court that he confessed to his crime after he prayed “long and hard”.

Justice Paula Gifford handed down the sentence after a two-hour migration presentation by Stafford’s defence counsel.

The ex-cricketer broke down and cried while he heard his fate.

He was charged in July 2009 with rape, burglary and robbery with violence, and kept in police custody until being released on bail in 2010.

Since then he has gotten married and become a father – all factors that were listed as arguments that his character had changed.

“The reason why I pleaded it was I’m sorry. I prayed about it long and hard, and I counted the time I put everything in God’s hands – without God there is nothing,” Stafford said before he was sentenced.

“God is mighty and higher than anything so I put everything in God’s hands.

“I have said sorry and I even spoke to the complaint’s father and told him I’m sorry.”

He was also sentenced to one year in prison for stealing from a home, which will run concurrently.

Anselm Clouden, Stafford’s lawyer, said there would be no appeal but that while in prison his client “needs treatment, [and] he needs counselling.

He expects to see Stafford out in eight years, Clouden added.