Man accused of indecent assault of teen girl freed by St Catherine court

A 39-year-old man accused of the indecent assault of a 14-year-old girl was on Friday freed in the St Catherine Parish Court.

The man was freed after the judge found that the prosecution's case had inconsistencies and lacked the credible substance needed for a successful conviction.

The Crown led evidence that the accused touched the 14-year-old complainant inappropriately in December 2023 and again in May 2024 during a visits to her home.

The Crown heard testimonies of the complainant and her older sibling.

During cross-examination from the man’s attorney, Rodain Richardson, the complainant admitted to giving false remarks in her statement to the police.

This was cited as being material and troubling to the Crown's case.

The defence argued that the accused did not have a case to answer in light of the inconsistencies.

In delivering her ruling, Parish Judge Andrea English-Myers said the complainant was not a credible witness, citing shifting timelines, unsupported claims in her testimony and other inconsistent actions.

She said the Crown failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt and freed the accused.

Attorney-at-law Joshua Bartley also appeared for the defence.

- Rasbert Turner

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