A policeman who offered a 13-year-old girl a ride to school and then sexually assaulted her is to serve five years' imprisonment.

He is Constable Richard Pearce, who was convicted last week of carnal abuse.

Justice Donald McIntosh had put off sentencing until yesterday.

Evidence was given at the trial in the St Thomas Circuit Court that, in December last year, the girl was on her way to school in Yallahs, St Thomas. Pearce offered her a ride to school and the girl accepted because she knew the policeman.

The girl testified that, on the way, Pearce turned on to a lane in Yallahs where he sexually assaulted her in the motor car. She reported the matter to the police and Pearce was arrested and charged by Detective Sergeant Bertlan Reynolds.