An 18-year-old man who allegedly raped a woman was remanded to prison yesterday when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Jackson John Abel Marare of Quarrie Village, Central Rupununi, was not required to plead to the indictable charge of rape.
It is alleged that on December 27, at Quarrie Village, Central Rupununi, Marare raped a 25-year-old woman.

The prosecution stated that on the day in question, the virtual complainant was walking home when Marare grabbed her from behind, threw her to the ground and raped her. She subsequently made a report to the police.

However, Marare stated that he is a trainee teacher in his village and on December 26, he was lying in his hammock when a friend invited him to a birthday party. He said he went to the party where he saw the complainant and her friend.

“I get drunk,” Marare stated adding that his friends had given him Piwari to drink and he felt dizzy shortly after. He claimed that the complainant was drinking the same thing and she along with his friends soon tumbled to the ground. Marare claimed that around 04:00 hrs the next day, his friends took the complainant and her friend home while he went on his way. He said he did not know what happened to the complainant.

The magistrate subsequently ordered that Marare be remanded to prison and transferred the case to the Lethem Magistrate’s Court for March 3.