Couple charged over alleged rape and unlawful detention of teenage babysitter

Several charges have been laid against a St Mary couple accused in the rape and unlawful detention of a minor who was babysitting their child.

They are 32-year-old barber Antony Berry, otherwise known as ‘Zeeks’, and 26-year-old cosmetologist Tamara Downer, otherwise known as ‘Mummy’, both of the Bailey’s Vale district, St Mary.

The Port Maria police say that in June 2023, a teenager visited Berry and Downer’s house to babysit their child.

The couple reportedly held the girl at the house against her will for two days, during which the man allegedly sexually assaulted her several times.

It is alleged that while Berry committed the act, Downer walked into the room, however, she did not intervene and instead encouraged Berry to continue.

It is further alleged that on the third day of the girl’s detention, Downer fed her food, after which she lost consciousness. The girl reported that she woke up on a beach in another parish and contacted her mother afterwards.

A report was made to the police, and an investigation was launched into the matter.

The couple was taken into custody during an operation on June 1.

Berry has been charged with five counts of rape, sexual touching of a child and unlawful detention with intention to have sexual intercourse, while Downer was charged with aiding and abetting rape, cruelty to child, failure to report child abuse and householder inducing or encouraging violation of child under 16.

A court date is being arranged for them.

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