A Barbadian man and a Guyanese woman, accused of rape, have been remanded to prison for the next 28 days.
They are 31-year-old Raynor Leonard Thomas and 21-year-old Tiffany Maria Edwards, both of Suttle Street, St Michael who allegedly had sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent on June 11.
The duo was not required to plead to the indictable charge when they appeared before Magistrate Kristie-Cuffy Sargeant today.
Sergeant Cameron Gibbons objected to bail for the accused based on the seriousness of the offence and the strength of the evidence against them. He also argued for the protection of the alleged victim, in addition to raising fears that the Guyanese accused would not appear in court if granted bail.
However, her lawyer Kevin Miller argued that while the charge was serious, the case against his client was weak.
“She is charged for rape as a female and unless she used an object I can’t see how that can stick . . . . So the strength of the evidence is weak,” the attorney said, as his client stood sobbing in the dock.
He further submitted that while his client had no ties to Barbados she had friends who were willing to post bail on her behalf to secure her attendance at court.
Thomas, who was unrepresented, made his own impassioned plea for bail, urging Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant to consider his clean criminal record.
“I have never been in trouble with the law. I have been working since 2006. I just want to go home please. I will not run, I will come to court. I can’t take the cells. I don’t get in trouble. This is my first charge,” Thomas said, as he choked back tears.
However, the magistrate explained that not only was the charge a very serious one, but two persons were accused of the committing the offence against one complainant.
It was on that grounds that their application for bail was denied.
The two accused are expected to return to the No 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court on July 12.
The post Sex offence appeared first on Barbados Today.