A man accused of raping an 11-year-old girl on two occasions back in 2017, was yesterday afternoon acquitted by a jury on both counts of the offence of rape-of-a-child under 16 years.
Following hours of deliberations, the jury in a proportion of 11 to 1 acquitted Reon Joseph on the first count which stated that he raped the child between December 1st and 31st, 2017 in the County of Demerara.
The panel’s not guilty verdict was, however, unanimous on the second count which alleged that Joseph, between the same period, raped the young girl a second time.
Following the announcements of the verdicts by the forewoman, presiding Judge Priya Sewnarine-Beharry informed a visibly relieved Joseph that he had been found not guilty and was therefore free to go.
The State’s case had been that after assaulting the child, Joseph instructed her not to tell anyone about what had transpired.
The court heard that in April of 2018, however, the child related the alleged assault to her mother who subsequently filed a police report.
This later led to Joseph being arrested and charged after investigations were conducted.
The trial proceedings were held in-camera at the Sexual Offences Court of the High Court in Georgetown.
The State was represented by Prosecutor Muntaz Ali in association with state attorneys Nafeeza Baig and Latifah Elliot.
The former accused was represented by defence attorney Teriq Mohammed.
