Orealla rape trial opens

The trial of an Orealla man charged with raping and sodomising a 12-year-old girl opened at the Berbice Assizes yesterday before Justice Rishi Persaud.

Ray Castello allegedly committed the offences between April 11 and 14, 2005, at Orealla.

State Prosecutor Leron Daly told the court that the girl had left her home to go to her aunt’s residence when Castello allegedly accosted and gagged her. He then allegedly took her to Cashew Island and committed the acts. He then reportedly gave her $600 and told her not to say anything.

The first witness in the matter, Detective Constable Lawrence Thomas, who is stationed at the Springlands Police Station, told the court that on April 12 he assisted in the investigations. He said the next day the girl visited the station and handed over $600, a burgundy skirt and a pair of blue underwear.

Thomas said he visited the alleged scene of the crime at Orealla Village on April 22, 2005 to conduct further investigations. He said he questioned persons in the area but found no evidence. He also said based on information he received he made checks for Castello but did not find him. Thomas said on May 1 he contacted Castello at the Springlands station and told him of the allegations, which he denied. Around 3 pm on the same day, Thomas said, he held a confrontation between Castello, the girl and her father and the girl repeated the allegations, which Castello again denied. Castello also allegedly refused to sign a written statement.

Castello, who represented himself, asked Thomas under cross-examination, if he had asked the girl whether the allegations she made were true and Thomas said yes.

The case continues.