A man who admitted lifting the skirt of an eight year old girl and kissing her on her stomach was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years by Cayman Islands Grand Court Judge Charles Quin

The man, 53 year old Christopher Sutherland, is well known to iNews Cayman’s Publisher, Joan Wilson, who attends Elmslie United Memorial Church, where the incident happened. He was employed by the church in a caretaker role, and he also looked after the grounds. He sang on the choir and played the piano.

“He has a most beautiful voice and I asked him to learn and sing one of my favourite songs, ‘The Words I Love You’, by Chris de Burgh and he said he would. I was very shocked and saddened when I learnt of the incident,” Mrs Wilson said.

Sutherland resigned his position and confirmed he and the girl knew each other.

The incident occurred during the Heroes Day celebration in George Town when the mother of the child asked Sutherland if her daughter could use the bathroom facilities at the church hall. Sutherland went with the child to open up one of the bathrooms for her and this is where the indecent assault took place but outside the bathroom.

A number of people, including church members, came forward with references on Sutherland’s behalf. Sutherland also was a volunteer with the Humane Society.