Pinoy on Saipan gets 6 years for kidnapping, sexual abuse

SUSUPE, Saipan - A Filipino construction worker here was sentenced to six years in prison for beating up his common-law wife, pouring gas on a 15-year-old girl and sexually assaulting the same minor.

The sentencing of Arnel Cunanan Gutierrez, 41, came a few weeks after he pleaded guilty to the charges filed against him.

David Wiseman , associate justice of the Superior Court in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), sentenced Gutierrez to six years in prison for one count of kidnapping, and one count of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree.

After serving the prison term, Gutierrez will be placed on probation for three years

Gutierrez, employed as a carpenter on Saipan, capital of the CNMI, is also required to perform 80 hours of community work service, write a letter of apology to the victims, and undergo counseling evaluation.

The defendant was also required by the court to register as a sex offender.

On Aug. 3, 2007, Gutierrez assaulted his common-law wife with a knife and a 15-year-old girl with a gas canister.

Gutierrez also hit and kicked the minor.

Court documents stated that Gutierrez also padlocked and chained the front door of their house, while the victims were inside.

He sexually abused the child on that same day, court papers stated.

The US territory of the CNMI, about three hours away from Manila by plane, is currently home to about 10,000 documented workers from the Philippines. - Haidee V. Eugenio, GMANews.TV

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