By Sue-Ann Wayow
TWO men in their forties have been charged with sexual assault in separate incidents.
In the first matter, a 43-year-old machine operator appeared virtually before a Princes Town Magistrate on Monday charged with one count of Sexual Penetration and two counts of Giving a Child a Dangerous Drug.
The accused, who pleaded not guilty, was placed on $150,000 bail with a surety by Magistrate Taramatie Ramdass to cover all charges.
He was ordered to keep 100 metres away from the teenager, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) reported on Tuesday.
According to an April 18 police report, the accused allegedly took a teenage girl to eat at a bar and to have a beer in February of this year.
The two later arrived at another bar where a similar act occurred, causing the girl to become intoxicated.
The girl was taken to the man’s house where he allegedly had sexual intercourse with her.
Following investigations, the suspect was arrested and charged on August 20 by WPC Quashie-Gay of the South-Western Division Child Protection Unit (CPU).
The accused will reappear before the court on September 19.
In the second matter, a 46-year-old PH Taxi Driver, who was charged with one count of Sexual Penetration and Inciting a Child to Engage in Sexual Activity, respectively, was also ordered to stay away from a teenage girl.
The accused pleaded not guilty and was placed on a $100,000 bail with a surety by Magistrate Adrian Darmanie at the Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court.
He was charged on August 19 by WPC Kassie, of the Central Division CPU, who investigated an April 22, 2021, police report in which a teenage girl reported to police that she was sexually assaulted by a man.
According to the girl, between the period June 1 and Dec 31, 2020, she was asleep at home when the accused allegedly sexually touched her.
On another occasion, the accused is alleged to have approached the girl while in the living room where he incited her to perform sexual acts to her.
He is also expected to appear before the court on September 18 to answer to the charges.
The investigations were supervised by Superintendent Claire Guy-Alleyne, acting Insps Jacob, Ramphal, Sgt Andrews, and acting Cpl Thompson of the Special Victims Department.
