Two men in separate incidents were recently cleared of rape charges—one because the virtual complainant no longer wished to procced with the matter—and the other because the complainant could not be found.
In the circumstances, formal verdicts of not guilty were returned in their favour when they each made their appearance before the Sexual Offences Court earlier this month.
In the case against Stephon Gordon, he had been accused of the charge of rape of a child under 16.
The indictment stated that he sexually penetrated an 11-year-old girl back in December of 2020.
The State’s case had been that the child on the day in question was sent to a shop to purchase some items but did not return until the following day.
Reports revealed that on the following day the mother received a call from a relative who informed her that the child had been found.
The child was subsequently questioned by her mother and later related that she had spent the night at the then 27-year-old Gordon’s house, where she alleged that he had raped her.
Meanwhile, in the case against Kevin Frank, the prosecution indicated to the Court that despite efforts over the last three weeks, it has been unable to locate Frank’s accuser.
In the circumstances, the State declared that it would no longer be pursuing the matter against him.
The story of the woman who alleged that Frank with whom she is acquainted, raped her, was that he had gone to her house on the night in question where he forced himself on her and raped her.
Both men were represented by defence attorney Teriq Mohammed, while the State was represented by prosecutors Latifah Elliot and Simran Gajraj.
The matters were called before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Sexual Offences Court of the High Court in Demerara.
