Man Convicted Of Attempted Rape, Indecent Assault & Assault By Penetration Against A 13-Year-Old Girl

By Alric Lindsay

Jason Preston McLean, a 28-year-old Caymanian, was found guilty today, March 3, 2026 of attempted rape, a series of indecent assaults, inviting a child to participate in sexual activity, and assault by penetration against a 13-year-old girl. The verdict, delivered by Justice Richards, was based on the credibility of the young victim’s detailed testimony, which Justice Richards described as truthful and consistent, while rejecting the defendant’s denials as implausible and inconsistent.

McLean was convicted on 11 counts stemming from three separate incidents in 2023.

Justice Richards emphasized that it was undisputed that the victim was under 16 at the time, while the McLean was over 18, underscoring the power imbalance and lack of consent.

The first incident occurred on February 14, 2023, in the bathroom of a home. According to the victim’s account, which the court accepted, McLean entered the bathroom while she was in the shower, and indecently touched her behind and breasts. The judge ruled that the touching was deliberate and intended to be indecent.

The second set of offences took place around the time of the Batabano Carnival. The victim alleged that McLean invited her to perform oral sex and masturbated. The court found her evidence credible, leading to convictions for indecent assault and inviting sexual activity with a child.

The most serious allegations arose from the third incident in June 2023. The victim claimed McLean entered while she was in a bathroom, touched her breasts, inserted his fingers into her vagina, and attempted to penetrate her from behind with his penis.

While Justice Richards noted some confusion in the victim’s description of the penetration—describing it as the “tip” entering—she was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant intentionally assaulted her by penetration and attempted rape.

Throughout the trial, McLean denied all allegations, claiming the victim was lying to avoid being sent to live overseas after he caught her with boys. He gave evidence and called someone as a witness. However, that person’s testimony contradicted his, revealing that he had confessed to her in July 2023 about asking the victim for oral sex and begging forgiveness.

Justice Richards cited this inconsistency as a key factor undermining the McLean’s credibility, along with his good character being outweighed by implausible explanations for his actions, such as inconsistent timelines and contrived stories about his pants not having a button and his zipper having the potential to fall down leading to misinterpretations of sexual advances.

In her ruling, Justice Richards stressed that she approached the case without stereotypes about sexual offences and considered the victim’s youth, noting limitations on cross-examination to protect her. “I found [the victim] to be a credible and truthful witness,” Justice Richards stated, praising her articulate recollection and honesty about unrelated lies, such as fabricating stories to fit in at school.

McLean, who has no prior convictions, was on bail during the trial. His current attorney, Katie Williams, argued on his behalf that he should continue on bail post verdict, however, Justice Richards immediately remanded McLean in custody due to the seriousness of the offences.

While discussing the seriousness of the offences, Assistant Director Scott Wainright from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions noted that the starting point for sentencing on the attempted rape charge could be 10 to 12 years.

McLean is scheduled to be sentenced on April 17, 2026.

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