Magistrate Fazil Azeez yesterday granted a GDF corporal charged with raping two women $175,000 bail when he appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court.

Herris Simon, 28, of Lot 9, Uitvlugt Front, West Coast Demerara (WCD) was not required to plead to two counts of rape. It is alleged that on November 9, 2006, at De Kenderen, WCD, he raped a woman. It is also alleged that last Thursday, he raped another woman.

Simon’s attorney, Basil Williams, told the court that “the girl” had indicated that she did not want further action to be taken against his client. The magistrate, however, told him that the girl would have to come to the court to say so.

Neither of the two virtual complainants (VC) appeared in court.

In a bail application, Williams said Simon is married and had been in the GDF for 11 years. He also said his client had no previous convictions and that he is innocent of the allegations. He said too that the 2006 alleged incident “has to be viewed with suspicion”. Williams said if the woman who made the allegation in 2006, was “so sure”, she would have been in court. He reiterated that the other VC had indicated that she did not want to proceed with the matter.

Williams also submitted that the offence is bailable and that his client “comes with a responsible rank in the army”. He said too since Simon works with a magistrate, there is no question of him not appearing. He also said the accused is presumed innocent.

Police Prosecutor Ramsahoye Rambajue said the prosecution would not oppose substantial bail being granted.

Simon was ordered to return to court on March 11.