Interdicted police officer, Wayde Padmore, now faces a retrial after a jury was unable to arrive at a verdict on charges against him of allegedly sexually assaulting a thirteen-year-old girl back in December 2019 and October 2020.
Following hours of deliberations yesterday afternoon, the 12-member panel announced through its forewoman that it was deadlocked—in a proportion of 9-3—on all three counts levelled against the accused.
In the circumstances, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry informed Padmore that the jury was hung and he would be free to go, but that he would be informed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, as to when he would be retried.
The first count against the now 24-year-old Padmore—for rape—alleges that he sexually penetrated the young lady between December 1st and 31st, 2019.
The second count alleges that he engaged in sexual activity with the girl—between October 1st and 31st, 2020—who at that time was 14 years old.
Finally, the third count alleges that he caused the teen to watch him ejaculate.
Padmore was represented by defence attorney Ravindra Mohabir, while the prosecution’s case was led by state counsel Latifah Elliot.
The trial proceedings were heard in-camera at the Sexual Offences Court of the High Court in Demerara.
