Browne Cites Brother’s Rape Conviction to Deny Interference in Court Cases

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has cited his brother’s conviction and 13-year prison sentence for rape as evidence that he does not interfere in individual court cases.

Browne raised the case while responding to criticism that his recent comments about sentencing and the judiciary amounted to political interference.

“It is well known that I have a brother who was convicted of rape, and he got 13 years,” Browne said during the Browne and Browne Show.

The prime minister said he would not have intervened even if his brother had expected assistance from him.

“Even if he had the expectation that I would have intervened, it would not have happened,” Browne said. “One, it’s not in my character. And my position is, you do the crime, you serve the time.”

Browne maintained that he has never attempted to influence a case in Antigua and Barbuda or any other jurisdiction.

“I have never interfered in any case within this jurisdiction or any other jurisdiction,” he said.

The prime minister argued that his criticism is directed at the wider sentencing system rather than any specific case or judicial officer.

He has called for stronger penalties for serious firearm crimes, sexual offences against children and repeat offenders, while maintaining that judges should retain limited discretion where exceptional circumstances exist.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: VIDEO: Citing His Own Brother’s Rape Conviction Browne says he does not Interfere in Court Cases.