The 62-year-old man implicated in the rape of a 13-year-old girl was yesterday released from custody on $20,000 station bail even after reports surfaced that he had been involved in similar encounters with the child since last year.
Residents within the community of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo are outraged after the man, who was said to be a popular shop owner, was granted bail considering the latest information that was brought to the attention of the police.
Reports reaching this newspaper were that on Sunday last, the man was seen from some distance by neighbours committing a sexual act with the child in the backyard of his home. A source told this newspaper that the matter was immediately reported to the Tuschen Policing Group, who promptly acted and arrested the individual and handed him over to the Leonora Police Station.
Stabroek News was yesterday told that the family of the child was not informed by the police that the accused has since been released and are appalled by this. It was related that police visited the man’s home and identified the area where the incident allegedly occurred and have also visited the child’s home where statements were taken from the victim, her mother and sister.
“I can’t see how a man that deh in such a matter can get bail… that child is not even talking much or going to school,” a man from the neighbourhood said.
According to the man, the family saw no signs that this was happening to the young girl, who was reportedly given $500 by the accused after every encounter. “The girl never said anything before but now she saying it happening since last year and that he would give her $500 every time… her parents didn’t know anything,” the source stated.
It was further noted that the shop owner was previously accused of statutory rape. That matter, the man emphasised, was handled too by the Leonora Police Station.
“He was never charged in that case either… something has got to be wrong with the Leonora Police Station. Something funny is going on here,” the man said, adding that the child subsequently migrated with no justice given for what had happened to her.
Another resident told this newspaper that persons in the community are not comfortable with sending their children to the man’s shop after it was rumoured that he would usually touch young females inappropriately about their bodies. These persons are calling for further investigations into the matter.
