No evidence to corroborate sexual molestation

Dear Editor,

The Guyana Police Force is responding to an article published in the Kaieteur News of Wednesday April 14, 2010, under the caption ‘Man, 39, admits molesting 4-year-old.’

The article dealt with an incident that occurred on Sunday April 11, 2010, at Station Street, Kitty, where the mother of a four-year-old girl reported to the police that she had seen a man, who lives in the same building with her, at the back of the yard with his pants and briefs down, and her daughter with her clothes half-way down.

The article stated further that the man was released after being held for less than 24 hours despite pleas by the parents to the police that he works in the interior and is likely to flee before being charged.

The police wish to state that subsequent to receiving the report the suspect was arrested and the girl, accompanied by her parents, was taken to the GPHC where she was medically examined by a doctor who issued a medical report. The medical report stated that the examination revealed that there was neither penetration nor any sign of abrasions to the victim.

Recognising that there was no corroborating evidence to substantiate the allegations being made by the parents to the effect that the man had sexually molested the child, the police placed the suspect on bail and following investigations legal advice was sought.

The Director of Public Prosecution has since advised that the suspect be charged with indecent exposure.

Yours faithfully,
Ivelaw Whittaker
Public Relations and Press Officer
Guyana Police Force