More than a year after he was charged with raping a 12-year-old relative, a Penal man was freed by a Siparia Magistrate.
The 46-year-old man walked out of the Siparia Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday smiling after his alleged victim told the court her maternal grandmother had fabricated the allegations.
Two charges were laid against the accused on March 24, 2016, by WPC Darlene Renn-Lashley of the Child Protection Unit. It was alleged that between December 31, 2013, and January 1, 2015, at Platanite Trace, Clarke Road, Penal, the man committed an act of serious indecency and between July 31 and September 1, 2015, he committed sexual penetration on the girl.
The accused was represented by attorney Kevin Ratiram in the matter which was before Magistrate Margaret Alert in the First Court.
Four prosecution witnesses testified at the preliminary inquiry, including the child’s maternal grandmother and a family friend.
Although statements were filed on behalf of the other witnesses, the prosecution opted for oral evidence from the girl, aged 13.
“My grandmother brought me to the station and told the officer they have a report to make,” said the teen, who recalled that while she was giving the police a statement, her grandmother kept, “butting in and added stuff.”
“The allegation against my uncle that he rape me was not true. I tried to tell the police but they did not listen,”she said.
Under cross-examination by Ratiram, the girl admitted to knowing what sex was. She said at no time did she ever tell anyone that the man had done anything sexual to her. Under further cross examination, she said after he was charged, she told a number of people he had not done anything to her.
On October 19, the prosecution closed its case. Ratiram made a no-case submission that there was no evidence that his client had committed the acts for which he was charged.