(Jamaica Observer) A police sergeant accused of abducting and raping a 16-year-old girl in June was offered $300,000 bail when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court last Friday.
When the matter was called up, the court was told that 33-year-old Christopher Bennett who was stationed at the Kingston Western Police Division offered the teenager a ride from the station and against her will took her to Palisadoes main road where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.
Bennett was granted bail following a successful application by attorney-at-law, Peter Champagnie.
During the application, Champagnie urged the court to consider bail for his client on the basis that Bennett denied the allegation earlier in June when he was interviewed formally.
Champagnie argued that even though his client knew of the possibility that he could be charged he made himself available to the authorities.
The attorney also questioned the complainants frequent visits to the station without a lawful purpose especially in light of her age.
A November 29, 2019 mention date was subsequently set for him to return to court.
Bennett made his appearance in court just days after a police corporal, who was arrested and charged with breaches of the Firearms Act in 2018, was sentenced to a total of 17 years imprisonment.
Corporal Devon Miller was sentenced to nine years imprisonment on the charge of possession of an AK-47 rifle, six years for the possession of a Taurus 9mm pistol, and two years for the possession of 30 assorted rounds of ammunition.
Miller was arrested on October 2, 2018 on Myers Lane, Newlands, St Catherine.
It is reported that members of the police force attached to the Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigations Branch nabbed Miller during a snap raid about 8:00 pm in the community.
An AK47 rifle, a Taurus 9mm pistol, fifteen 7.62 rounds of ammunition and fifteen 9mm rounds of ammunition were found in a motor car that he was driving.
The sentences are to run concurrently so Miller will serve only nine years.
