By Prince Moore
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed outrage at what he calls the 'monstrous' murder of nine-year-old Esher Primary student, Nikita Noel, in Hanover.
The child is believed to have been raped and murdered while returning home from school.
Her body was found sometime after 8 p.m. Wednesday in bushes, metres from her home.
Describing the attack as "just pure evil", Mr. Holness said Nikita's murder is a shock to the country's collective conscience and sense of community.
"My heart goes out to Nikita's family and loved ones, and I'm sure that the entire Jamaica is praying for the family at this very sad time," he said.
The Prime Minister urged the country to "never become numb to the increasing barbarity of acts of violence".
He said the government will urgently amend the Offences Against the Person Act to increase the mandatory minimum sentence for murder from 15 years before eligibility for parole to 40 years.
