A man accused of raping a fifteen-year-old girl has been cleared of the indictment, following his acquittal by a jury yesterday afternoon.
Following hours of deliberations, the 12-member panel returned a majority verdict in the proportion of 10-2, finding Shaquille Fernandez called “Rum Mouth” not guilty of committing the offence.
The charge formerly leveled against him had stated that on September 23rd, 2019 he sexually penetrated the teenager.
Following the announcement of the jury’s verdict, Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry who presided over the trial, informed Fernandez that he had been acquitted and was therefore free to go.
The trial proceedings were heard in-camera at the Sexual Offences Court of the High Court in Demerara.
Fernandez was represented by defence attorney Teriq Mohammed while the State’s case was led by prosecutor Simran Gajraj.
