A week after the police completed their investigations into the alleged rape of suspect Colwyn Harding, the case file is yet to reach the chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice on the possible laying of charges against the ranks implicated.
According to what Stabroek News has been told, the usual protocol in a case where allegations have been leveled against the police would see an investigation first conducted by the Office of Professional responsibility (OPR), which would refer its findings and recommendations to the Police Com-plaints Authority (PCA) for its chairman to review the file and make his own recommendations. That file is then sent to the DPP’s Chambers.
PCA Chairman Cecil Kennard, when contacted yesterday, told Stabroek News that he had to request additional information from the police and the file was only returned to his office on Thursday. He assured that he would complete his review of the file and send it to the DPP’s chambers by early next week.
The constable accused of raping Harding with a baton was placed under close arrest when the investigation was launch-ed, while several ranks from the Timehri Police Station, where the man claimed he was beaten, were transferred.
Harding’s allegations triggered protests and vigils to push for justice in the case and also saw outpourings of assistance from locals and Guyanese living abroad.
Through donations, Harding, who was hospitalised after suffering severe intestinal injuries, has been able to seek medical attention in Jamaica.
While doctors at the Georgetown Hospital have said that Harding was being treated for a hernia, it has been suggested that damage was caused to his intestines as a result of the sexual assault and/or the beatings he allegedly suffered at the hands of ranks.
As a result of the damage, he is forced to use colostomy bags to expel his bodily waste. There has been no update on the treatment he is receiving in Jamaica and how long he is expected to remain on the island.
