The two police constables accused of raping a Sophia woman at the Turkeyen Police Station on New Year’s Day have been charged with the crime.
Constables Delon Chapman and Leon Ashby were read the joint charge by Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Chapman was also charged with attempting to obstruct the course of justice.
Each man was released on $80,000 bail and the case was adjourned until February 21st.
The policemen were charged based on advice given by the Director of Public Prosecutions one week ago.
Prior to the recommendation, Stabroek News was told that the case file was sent back to the police for further investigations to be conducted.
Public Relations Officer Jairam Ramlakhan had told this newspaper that the woman went to the station to lodge a report against an individual who threw a squib at her son.
While there, she asked to use the washroom and was directed to one on the top flat of the building, where she was later allegedly attacked by the constables.
It had been subsequently claimed that a civilian relative of Chapman approached the woman while she was at the hospital and offered a settlement. The allegation prompted an investigation by the Police Force’s Office of Professional Responsibility and resulted in the additional charge against the rank.
