The three Barama workers accused of the 2007 rape and sodomy of a girl at the company’s Land of Canaan plywood plant will be called upon to lead a defence in the coming week as the High Court Trial into the matter continues
On trial are Paul Abrams, Claude Craig and Holston Melville, who are accused of taking turns raping and sodomizing the young woman who was 17 years old at the time. The incident was said to have taken place on December 5, 2007.
Having commenced last Tuesday before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, it is the prosecution’s case that Abrams, a supervisor at the time had lured the woman to a room where he proceeded to rape and sodomize her.
Abrams reportedly then locked the young woman in the room and later returned in the company of Melville who also proceeded to rape and sodomize her.
After some time elapsed, the two men left the room, locking the woman in, once more; it was then Craig entered and sodomized the woman.
The trial is being held in-camera.
However, Stabroek News was made to understand that the charge of rape against Craig was yesterday withdrawn after the prosecution conceded that it could not stand.
Nevertheless, he is still answerable to the charges of buggery and indecent assault, which the other two men are also on trial for.
Additionally, the court heard submissions by attorneys Nigel Hughes who is representing Melville and Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos who is representing both Craig and Abrams. Based on submissions made, it is the contention of the lawyers that the identification of the three men was weak.
However, their submissions were overruled by Justice Barlow who subsequently adjourned the trial until Monday when the men are expected to lead their defence.
The case is being presented by prosecutor Siand Dhurjon in association with Shawnette Austin.
