By Rasbert Turner, Spanish Town:SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD SHELDON Smith who appeared in the Spanish Town RM Court charged with rape was granted bail in the sum of $30,000 to reappear on Thursday, September 4. He was among a group of three who allegedly raped a Bellevue outpatient.
Smith, a barber, and two other friends, are alleged to have held a 32-year-old woman and raped her. The incident, the court was told, occurred on June 23 this year about 8 p.m.
The complainant, a Bellevue outpatient was lured into a house in Tryall Heights housing scheme, St. Catherine, by one of Smith's accomplices known as Rambo. He then told the sick woman, whom it is said to be well-known to all of the men, that he was going to change his clothes. She was then held down and raped repeatedly by Smith, "Rambo" and a man known as "Deano."
After the ordeal, the complainant reportedly suffered a nervous breakdown and was admitted to the Bellevue Hospital for nearly one month. After being discharged, she made a report to the police who launched an investigation, under the leadership of Constable Ann Jackson, which led to the arrest of Smith on August 9.
The other men are still being sought by the police.
When Smith appeared in court, he was unrepresented. He pleaded not guilty and was subsequently granted bail to return. He is to report to the Spanish Town police Mondays and Fridays and must surrender his travel documents.
