Ex prison officer and bodybuilder Warren George, who last Wednesday made a daring attempt to escape the custody of a police officer at the High Court in Georgetown where he was on trial, has been found not guilty of the rape charge which was levelled against him.
He was, however, unanimously convicted on charges of assaulting the complainant.
Following hours of deliberations, the jury in a majority verdict of 10-2 found George not guilty of committing the sexual offence. He was, however, found guilty on the charge of assault causing bodily harm.
Justice Navindra Singh has deferred sentencing to June 29th.
The sexual offence charge against George had alleged that he sexually penetrated the complainant on June 12th of 2020, without her consent; and that on the same day he assaulted her, causing actual bodily harm.
The prosecution’s facts were that the two who are known to each other, got into a tiff during which George became physical and choked the woman until she became unconscious.
It was during that time that prosecutors say he raped her.
As she made her way from him, the court had heard that the former accused began kicking the woman i her hip, causing her to fall and hit her breasts.
After she finally managed to leave, the court heard that she reported the matter to the police.
The trial proceedings were held in-camera at the Sexual Offences Court of the High Court in Georgetown.
The state’s case was led by Prosecutor Tiffini Lyken.
George had been on bail for both charges when he made his bold escape attempt last Wednesday.
He had asked to use the washroom and on his way there he leapt over the rails of the High Court corridor in a dramatic bid to escape.
The attempted escape was caught on the High Court security cameras.
In the CCTV footage, George could be seen walking without handcuffs along the High Court corridor with an officer. It is not customary to have restraints on persons who are out on bail.
Whilst walking casually towards the washroom, George decided to turn and head in the opposition direction and could be seen being ordered by the police to revert to his original course.
He then took a seat, stood, clambered over the chairs in the corridor and leapt over the rails.
He landed without apparent injury, fell into a pool of water, and proceeded to escape on foot, all the while being hotly pursued by the police officer who was simultaneously alerting other officers.
George was later re-captured by members of the Guyana Police Force and his bail was revoked.
He reportedly told the judge that it was a mistake.
