The son of former Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes on Wednesday received a 10-year jail sentence for the sexual abuse of a minor.

It took a jury about three hours to reach a majority verdict of 7-2 against Joseph Foulkes on a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse.

Prosecutors alleged that Foulkes, 50, molested a 12-year-old girl sometime in 2012 while she was a guest at his home. His brother, Brendan Foulkes, who provided moral support for the duration of the trial, left the court in shock after the jury foreman announced the verdict.

The 16-year-old victim and her mother were also in court for the verdict. The convict's lawyer, Bernard Ferguson, did not make a mitigation plea on his behalf.

Ferguson said that he was at a loss for words, but added that he accepted the jury's verdict.

In passing sentence, Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs said it was a "sad case". He said, "You are a married man with a child, to find yourself in this position is unenviable.

It seems that this was an isolated incident, you are sentenced to 10 years." After the judge passed sentenced, Foulkes said, "Can I appeal that?'

Isaacs confirmed that he had the right of appeal. Isaacs said, "This as a heavy case. There was not much evidence, but when you have a child victim, it weighs on your head and your heart."

According to the girl, who is now 16, Foulkes violated her while his wife was at work and his son was at church.

She claimed that she was in pain after the sexual encounter, but said nothing to her mother when she returned home later that evening.

The girl claimed that she remained silent out of fear because Foulkes had threatened to kill her.

She also claimed she did not want to ruin the relationship she shared with Foulkes' wife.

The incident came to light when the girl confided in her godmother that one of her father's friend's, Jack, had molested her.

The girl later said that after her father beat her, she confessed she made up the name Jack.It was at this point that she named Foulkes as her attacker.

The girl's father and brother confronted Foulkes about the allegations and beat him up when they visited his home.

During the physical assault, Foulkes denied that he had touched the girl. For his part, Foulkes exercised his right to remain silent.

He called no witnesses.His wife, Nadia, who was called as a prosecution witness, said the girl last visited her home in 2010 or 2011.

The wife said she told the girl's mother to keep her own child after she had to discipline her for sending vulgar messages on her laptop.

Raquel Whymms and Darell Taylor prosecuted.

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