A 66-year-old man, who is accused of fondling a six-year-old girl’s private part, was today slapped with a sexual assault charge.
Reuben France, a handyman of Brickery, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on February 15, 2019, at Supply, East Bank Demerara, he engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of sixteen.
The matter was heard in-camera and members of the media and the public were asked to exit the courtroom.
According to information, the accused and the child’s grandmother are known to each other since he would normally do work around the yard.
On the day in question, he was at the child’s residence doing work in the yard while the young girl was playing with her toys in the yard.
According to reports, the child’s grandmother left and went to the upper flat of the building.
It was then that the accused, who was seated in a chair, called the child and placed her on his lap and fondle her vagina.
The child then confided in her grandmother as to what happened and the matter was reported to the station.
An investigation was then carried out and France was arrested and charged for the offence.
The Magistrate, after listening to the facts, released France on $75,000 bail.
Conditions of the bail are that he stays 50 feet away from the victim and not to make or cause anyone to contact her.
France was also ordered to report to the Timehri Police Station every Friday until the hearing and determination of the matter.
He is expected to make his next court appearance on November 20.
