A man has been sentenced to four years in prison for attempted rape and one year for serious indecency, with both terms to run concurrently, according to Antigua.news.

Sazeek Joseph, who was 22 at the time of the offences, was found guilty by a jury in March of both counts following a trial that laid bare how a casual offer of assistance rapidly escalated into a violent and terrifying ordeal for an 18-year-old woman.

The court heard that the complainant had contacted Joseph via WhatsApp, telling him she wanted to go out to relieve stress. He offered to arrange a rental vehicle for $100, and when she arrived to collect it, he joined her in the car.

The group later picked up her friend and the friend's boyfriend, and the four drove around before dropping the pair home. During that time, Joseph reportedly handled a taser inside the vehicle, making the complainant uncomfortable.

She subsequently asked to be dropped at another friend's home and requested he return for her later. While she waited, he sent her messages commenting on her appearance and expressing sexual intentions. Her attempts to arrange alternative transportation failed, leaving her little choice but to accept his return.

When he came back after 1 am, his demeanor had markedly changed. He accused her of being unfaithful, then drove her to a secluded dirt road where he locked the vehicle, restrained her, and assaulted her. The court heard that he tore her underwear and used a taser to intimidate her as she resisted.

The situation temporarily de-escalated before resuming at a second location, where she was attacked again after he took her phone. Her escape came when her mother called, prompting him to allow her to answer.

Crucially, the complainant had managed to secretly record part of the encounter. Audio played in court captured Joseph admitting to damaging her underwear and making inappropriate remarks about it. She reported the matter to police the same day the incident occurred.

Throughout the investigation and trial, Joseph gave multiple conflicting accounts. He initially denied any wrongdoing but later altered his explanation when confronted with the recording and physical evidence.

Jurors ultimately rejected his version of events, relying instead on the complainant's testimony, supporting messages, and the physical evidence presented during proceedings.