A 36-year-old man on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice when it was read to him by Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that on April 19 at Georgetown, Antonio Szala of 32 Lyng Street, Charlestown, willingly attempted to pervert the course of justice in the Colin Mack rape trial.
Szala, a criminal investigation officer attached to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit and the Home Affairs Task Force pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.
His lawyer then made an application for bail to be granted in a reasonable sum on the grounds that his client has no antecedents, has been cooperating with the police in their investigations and poses no risk of flight.
However, Police Prosecutor Corporal Munilall Seetaram objected to bail since the preliminary inquiry into the Colin Mack rape charge is ongoing. Seetaram stated further that were bail to be considered, Szala may attempt to tamper with the witness or witnesses in the rape matter again. The corporal concluded his submissions by asking that the rape trial be transferred to another court.
However, Szala, a father of three was subsequently placed on $75,000 bail and has to return to court on May 27.
Mack, a 38-year-old entertainment promoter, allegedly raped a 19-year-old girl after offering her a ride home.
He is on remand while the PI is being heard before Magistrate Robertson.
It is alleged that Mack had sexual intercourse with the 19-year-old without her consent on April 12, at his home.
According to the police, Mack met the teenager at a nightclub and after a few drinks he offered to take her home.
The teen accepted the offer but Mack diverted and instead drove to his home in North Ruimveldt.
It is alleged that he then demanded that she have intercourse with him and when she refused, dealt her several blows to her body with his fist.
Mack allegedly locked the teen in a room and left the house.
He reportedly returned with another individual who allegedly held the teen down as he raped her.
Sometime after the incident the teen was allowed to go home and she later made a report to the police.
