Multiple rape accused Thurston Semple has been once again been committed to stand trial at the High Court for the offence.
Semple, 36, of Georgetown, was on Friday committed to stand trial by Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty following the completion of paper committal proceedings stemming from a recent charge.
Semple was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was not required to plea to the charge that between February 24, 2021, and February 25, 2021, at Georgetown, he sexual penetrated a woman without her consent. He had been remanded to prison but was subsequently granted bail $250,000 as he awaits the start of the High Court trial.
Semple had previously told the court that the woman was lying. But the Police Prosecutor informed the court that Semple had other similar offences pending in the High Court.
The facts in this matter state that Semple hired the woman to have sex with him and took her to his home. The court heard that once there they proceeded to engage in sexual activity but the woman started to complain about being in pain. Semple subsequently requested that she perform a sex act on him but she refused and as a result he allegedly held a knife to her neck and forced her to comply. It was also alleged that he wounded her with the knife.
Semple allegedly ran behind her while being armed with a knife. The court heard that the woman was seen by neighbours, who reported to the police that she was wrapped in a sheet. An ambulance was summoned and the woman was taken to the hospital while Semple was arrested.
Sample was previously charged with multiple rapes. He was charged with raping two sex workers between November 30th, 2017, and on December 1st, 2017, at Georgetown. Semple was committed to stand trial in the High Court in May, 2018, on the charges.
However, while he was still out on bail and weeks after he was committed, he was slapped with another rape charge. It was also reported that between January 3rd, 2018, and January 4th, 2018, at Georgetown, he sexually assaulted another woman. He was also charged with escaping lawful custody. That rape charge against him was dismissed as the magistrate had said that the prosecutor failed to provide the court with sufficient evidence.
