News April 10 2026

Bail deferred for St Catherine taxi operator accused of raping 13-y-o

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The St Catherine Parish Court. - File photo.

A court on Friday refused to consider a bail application for a St Catherine taxi operator accused of raping a 13-year-old girl and ordered a social enquiry report.

The 48-year-old man is also charged with forcible abduction, rape and sexual touching of a child.

He appeared before Acting Senior Parish Court Judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle.

The court instead ordered a report from the Probation Department to determine his suitability for bail.

He is to return to the St Catherine Parish Court at a later date.

Prosecutors allege that about 10:40 a.m. on March 22, the teen boarded a Toyota Probox operating as a public passenger vehicle.

It is further alleged that the driver diverted from Walks Road into a section of Angels Grove, where the assault took place.

The teen was later left in the community and reported the incident to a passer-by, who alerted the police.

The suspect was subsequently intercepted, arrested and later charged.

- Rasbert Turner

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