(Trinidad Express) Martial arts instructor Anthony Charles was yesterday denied bail on sex charges against three teenage boys.
Charles, 50, of Cocoyea appeared on 12 charges, including six for buggery and five for serious indecency against the boys ages 16, 14 and 13.
The acts were allegedly committed between April 30 to September 1 this year at his home and at the San Fernando Hill.
Charles also faced one charge of grievous sexual assault.
Seven of the charges were against one alleged victim, with four of the alleged sexual acts happening between June 30 and August 1.
The charge of grievous sexual assault, allegedly committed against the same boy during the same time frame, was also read to Charles yesterday.
Charles was charged under the Sexual Offences Act by Constable Cedeno-Figaro.
The court was cleared for his appearance before San Fernando Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington around noon yesterday.
As he waited for the matter to be called, a handcuffed Charles stood alone in the prisoner’s dock.
He interacted with defence attorney Ainsley Lucky.
Lucky held for attorney Trevor Peters who, he said, was unwell.
In asking for bail, he said his client was a health and safety consultant with no previous matters before the court.
Lucky said Charles, who lived with his brother, was willing to relocate should he be granted bail.
Police prosecutor Cleyon Seedan objected to bail on the ground that there was a series of offences allegedly committed against the three victims over a period of time.
He also said the teens had been entrusted to Charles when the acts allegedly happened.
Wellington refused bail based on the number of separate charges and the ages of the victims who were allegedly in Charles’ care at the time.
He was told he could apply to a judge in chambers for bail and ordered to return to court on November 12.
