his 12-year-old common-law daughter for sex.

The 34-year-old man admitted fondling and having unprotected sexual intercourse with the girl in exchange for $25 on five occasions.

Chief Justice the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward made the decision in light of recent stiffer sentences of up to 20 years imprisonment for the sexual abuse of minors.

Before passing sentence, the Chief Justice told the accused that he had abused his position of trust by having sexual relations with the girl. "Girls of that age must be protected from themselves,'' he said.

In a written confession to the Police, the accused admitted to having had sexual intercourse with the girl on a number of occasions in exchange for money.

Crown Counsel Mr. Melvin Douglas told the court that at the time of the offence, the accused had been in a relationship with the girl's mother for three years. During that time he had acted as a father to the girl and her 8-year-old brother.

During a dispute with the girl's mother last December, the accused, who was intoxicated, told her that he had slept with her daughter.

The girl's mother reported the matter to the Police whereupon the accused was arrested and admitted to fondling and having unprotected sex with the girl in exchange for $25 on five occasions.

Mr. Michael Scott, defending, said the accused was "limited'' in his educational background and often indulged in weekend drinking.

Sentencing the man to nine years imprisonment on two counts of sexual assault and unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor, the Chief Justice said that he had taken into consideration the guilty plea and personal limitations of the accused.

But he said his decision was based on recent harsher sentences for similar offences to reflect the gravity of the crime.