A 20-year-old serving member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who allegedly raped an 11-year-old girl was today remanded to prison after being charged with the offence.
Reon Joseph of Wren Avenue, South Ruimveldt Gardens, made his first appearance before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Marcus-Isaacs in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that, between December 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 at Wren Avenue, South Ruimveldt Gardens, he engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16.
The matter was heard in-camera and members of the public and the media were asked to leave the courtroom.
According to information, the child was left in the care of Joseph and it was while the two were alone that he allegedly made advances on her and subsequently had sexual intercourse with her.
It was reported that the child later told her mother what had happened and the matter was reported. An investigation was then carried out and the soldier was arrested and charged for the alleged rape.
The court prosecutor opposed to bail being granted to the defendant. Hence, he was remanded to prison and instructed to make his next court appearance on May 31, 2019.
