The trial of Cecil Romeo, who is accused of having carnal knowledge of a 13 year-old girl, began yesterday before Justice Winston Patterson, when three witnesses recounted the series of events that led to the charge.
It is alleged that Romeo, 36, during the month of August, 2007, in the county of Essequibo, committed the act.
Prosecutors Teshanna James and Diana Kaulesar called Welfare Officer Concheeta Grey, who told the court that she had visited the virtual complainant’s Parika, Sea Dam, East Bank Essequibo home on February 12, 2008 to assess the environment, after the child was previously found begging on the streets.
Acting on information received from the child, Grey said she accompanied the girl to the Parika Police Station, where a report was made. In the company of a female officer, the two then proceeded to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where the child was examined.
The medical certificate was handed over to the police officer and the child was taken into the Child Protection Agency.
The following day, the 13-year-old was returned to the police station, where she produced a statement that was signed by the welfare officer.
The second witness, Police Corporal Nirmala McKen, stated that she was on duty when she received information and further escorted the child and the social worker to the hospital. She noted that in the presence of herself and Grey, the doctor examined the child and wrote his findings on a medical form, which she uplifted.
McKen stated that she would be able to identify the form by the child’s name and address and also the date which were written. The form confirmed that the child was sexually active.
When asked if he wished to question the witness, an unrepresented Romeo only said, “I does wuk on de road sir. I don’t deh home in de day.”
The third witness was Detective Corporal Jomo Williams, who said that on February 12, 2008, he made contact with Romeo and informed him of the allegation being made against him. He said that the accused told him, “Officer, I ain’t know nothing about that. This gyal ah try fuh set me up.”
He said that Romeo was arrested and placed in custody pending further investigations.
On a later date, Williams said he visited the man’s home at Parika accompanied by the child. The structure was a 20ft x 25ft wooden building. He stated that he asked the girl to indicate the area where the act allegedly occurred and the child pointed out a mattress that was on the ground. Williams said he checked the mattress for anything of evidential value but found nothing.
He then questioned several persons in the surrounding area and received some information, which led him to a confrontation with the accused on February 17, 2008, when Romeo said, “I nah know nothing she talking about”.
The trial continues today at 10am.
