Andrew Hannibale, aged 45 years, of Benneth Dam, Rosignol , was remanded to prison yesterday after a charge of sexual activity with a girl under 15 years was laid against him.
The founder of the Faith Deliverance Ministries was not required to plead to the charge which was sworn to by Corporal Jasmine Benson at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon.
While the case was held in camera, scores of the religious leader’s followers swarmed the court yard, in support of him.
Policewoman Sergeant Althea Soloman objected to pretrial liberty on the grounds that if the defendant is placed on bail at this stage he could use his position of trust to influence the witnesses, and the victim.
Magistrate Rhondel Weaver denied bail to the defendant and ordered that he return to court on February 16.