Relatives of the underage girl, who was allegedly raped by a 62-year-old shopkeeper in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, want police to speedily bring the man to justice so as to avoid the risk of a recurrence.
It has been alleged that on April 15, the man was seen from some distance by neighbours committing a sexual act with the child, then 13, in the backyard of his home. The matter was immediately reported to the Tuschen Policing Group, which promptly acted and arrested the individual, before handing him over to the Leonora Police Station. He has since been released on $20,000 station bail.
A relative of the child yesterday said the police investigating the matter are now requesting that a birth certificate be presented to verify her age, since it is believed that she is older than she appears.
“We went back to the station and the woman who take the statement say they need her birth certificate and we don’t have that… This thing happened the Sunday and the girl turn 14 on the 20th, but they don’t believe that,” she said.
She further stated that the family has since applied for the document and are expected to receive it on May 15th and they are eager to hand it over to the police so that they can pursue the case.
“Something got to be done about this man… this is not the first time it happened. He was involved in another matter like this with his own granddaughter and if not this lil girl, it might happen to somebody else child,” the woman said.
She explained that the child lives just a street away from the man implicated and, at the time, had visited frequently to assist his wife who is said to be ill.
“He got a sickly wife and since this girl small, she is go over to help the woman. She is tell we send she when he ain’t deh home but he used to be home like,” the relative said. She added that the child has since revealed that the man committed the act with her once before last year when he paid her $500. However, on the second occasion, when he was seen by neighbours, no money was given.
“We keep asking her why she didn’t say anything and she not telling us anything. Is only now when the people see him and we get to know that she come out and start talk. But this man is give she money. The first time she say he give her $500 and the second time he tell her he will give her another time,” she stated.
At present, the child is said to be doing alright and has since returned to school. The woman related that she is now talking a lot more and has resumed her usual activities.
