A 46-year-old private school teacher and a 35-year-old man – a security guard have been jointly charged with several sexual offences involving minors.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) reported that they have been charged with one count of sexual penetration and one count of trafficking a minor for sexual exploitation.
They appeared before Magistrate Indra Ramoo Haynes at the Tunapuna Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
The teacher also answered to two counts of sexual penetration at a school, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of trafficking a minor for sexual exploitation and one count of sexual penetration at a house in East Trinidad.
She had a total of nine charges laid against her. Both accused were denied bail.
The charges stem from a report of sexual abuse and trafficking of two, 12-year-old female students, made directly to the Special Victims Department on November 3, 2022 by the principal of the learning institution.
Reportedly both minors were sexually penetrated on the school compound by the teacher and again assaulted sexually by both accused at a location in Malabar between September 1 and November 3.
Investigations into the report were immediately launched, which uncovered a sexual exploitation ring involving minors.
On December 13, both accused were arrested following a search warrant exercise. The charges were laid five days later on December 18 following the advice of legal officer Zaheer Ali.
Both the teacher and security guard are expected to reappear in court on January 16, 2023.
Investigations into the incident were spearheaded by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Criminal Division, Sharon Cooper, coordinated by Inspector Wayne Stanley and Sergeant Marlon Bishop and conducted by WPC Kernisha Valere all of the Child Protection Unit.
