Bagotstown man remanded over rape of seven-year-old girl

Accused of raping a seven-year old girl in Port Kaituma, a Bagotstown man was yesterday remanded to prison when he was brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Thirty-two-year old Clifton Anthony was also charged with the possession of 10 grammes of cannabis on March 28, in Port Kaituma. The man denied both of the charges laid against him.

Representing the accused, attorney Paul Fung-a-Fat requested bail for his client’s narcotics charge, stating that Anthony had never been charged before. In his bail application, the lawyer explained that the accused owned a large business place where the marijuana had been found and could not account for the persons who would regularly traverse through the building. He also pointed out that his client had been locked up for six days.  Prosecutor Michael Grant objected to bail, listing the nature and gravity of the offence along with the tender age of the child as his reasons. He also expressed fear that the accused would interfere with the victim due to the proximity of the two.

Clifton Anthony (left) being escorted by apoliceman.
Clifton Anthony (left) being escorted by apoliceman.

The prosecutor’s objections were upheld by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and Anthony was remanded to prison until April 30, when he will have his next day in court.