Schoolgirl sex assault file with DPP

Feb 04, 2015 News

The Director of Public Prosecutions is in possession of a report on the alleged rape of a 14-year-old by the son of a prominent official, police said in a release yesterday.
“The police have completed investigations into the alleged rape of a 14-year-old female on the East Coast of Demerara recently.
“The file in the matter has been submitted today, Tuesday February 03, 2015, to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice, in keeping with the Sexual Offences Act,” the release stated.
The submission of the report came just a day after Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster urged Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud to give the case “special attention.”
Webster had also requested that the Top Cop conduct a “detailed investigation” into allegations that a police rank tried to pervert the course of justice into the matter.
Minister Webster noted that in accordance with the Sexual Offences Act No. 7/2010, Part II titled “Offences” Section 10 (1) specifically speaks to the rape of a child under 16 years of age (the complainant) if the accused “Engages in sexual penetration with the complainant”.
“I also wish to bring to your attention, that under the Protection of Children Act No. 17/2009 Section 7 “Duty to Report” Sub-Section III states “where a report is made to a police officer under subsection 1, the police officer shall immediately inform the Director of the said report, investigate the matter promptly and inform the Director of the findings of the investigation.”
“I am therefore calling upon you to use your good office, for special attention to be given to have this matter investigated in its entirety, with a view to ensuring that justice is served.  “Secondly, I am also requesting that a detailed investigation be conducted by the Guyana Police Force, as it relates to the allegation of the involvement of the Police Officer, who appears to have been implicated in trying to pervert the course of justice during the investigation process.”
Minister Webster has met with the teen’s mother while officials from the Child Care and Protection Agency interviewed the girl and her mother.
The alleged victim has told police that the 24-year-old man sexually assaulted her on January 27, last, after luring her into his car under the pretext of taking her home. According to the teen, the suspect had promised to sponsor her for a beauty pageant.
Kaieteur News understands that the teen has submitted a statement and a medical document to police. She reportedly also took photographs which show bite marks that were allegedly inflicted during the assault.
This newspaper understands that the suspect has denied that he raped the teen and claimed that the sex was consensual.
He was placed on $50,000 bail, allegedly after spending about three hours in the lockups.
Kaieteur News was told that the teen’s mother has refused to accept a financial settlement from the suspect’s father.