NASSAU- A former youth pastor, who turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, has been jailed for eight years for sexually abusing an underage girl.
Colton Albury, a popular pastor who worked with thousands of young children, was exposed as a sexual predator by his victim in 2017.
On July 7, a jury found that Albury violated the girl from June 2016 through April 2017. The victim was 12 when the sexual abuse began; she was 13 when she told her parents about it.
Her parents met Albury when he was 11 while doing outreach with their church.
Albury, who grew up in an orphanage after his parents abandoned him and his siblings, was welcomed into his victim’s family at age 16.
Yet, he betrayed them by molesting their daughter.
The prosecution produced five pages of WhatsApp messages of the married, father-of-two begging the girl for sex.
In the raunchy messages, Albury told the child, “I don’t have to f*** you. Just let me play with it.”
He also told her that she was beautiful and that his wedding ring meant nothing to him.
Jurors accepted by a count of 7-2 that Albury caressed the girl’s thighs and breasts during tickling games.
His criminal behavior escalated to unlawful sexual intercourse when he used his fingers to penetrate the girl.
Senior Justice Bernard Turner sentenced Albury to eight years’ imprisonment for unlawful sexual intercourse and four years in prison for indecent assault. The sentences will be served together and take effect from July 7.
Erica Ingraham, the prosecutor, called for a sentence in the range of 10 to 15 years.
By contrast, defence lawyer Miranda Adderley suggested a sentence of two to five years.
Copyright Bahamas Court News 2022
