Ronald Ford, a teacher of Fort Wellington Secondary School was refused bail when he appeared at the Weldaad Court today before Magistrate Roby Benn on charges of sexual abuse of a 14-year-old female student.
The court heard that between September 31 and October 1, 2010 at the Fort Wellington Secondary School at Onderneeming, 25, engaged in sexual activities with the minor. The case comes up again at the Fort Wellington Court on March 2.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Grace Bristol asked for bail to be refused on the grounds of the nature and gravity of the offence. She submitted too that if granted bail there was the likelihood that Ford of Lot 2 Section ‘A’ Bel Air, West Coast Berbice, who was previously charged with a similar offence would tamper with witnesses.
Attorney-at-law Charrandas Persaud who entered an appearance for Ford made an unsuccessful application for bail to be considered, stating that the offence is bailable. He submitted that nature and gravity should not be seen as “legal reason” for his client, a teacher for seven years to be denied bail.
According to Persaud, Ford is “willing to have himself removed” from the school and the locality until the matter is resolved.
He also gave the court the assurance that his client would attend his trial and was also willing to lodge his passport and report to the police station regularly.
The lawyer denied that Ford had been charged with a similar offence and submitted that the prosecution was attempting to mislead the court.
He said his client was an active member of the community and that “his pastor has been beside him in this unfortunate ordeal.”
Persaud argued that the charge is a mere allegation and should be considered just that. “This is not the first carnal knowledge charge before this court or any court in Guyana but this one has received international attention,” the lawyer said.
The magistrate then inquired whether that statement was relevant to the bail application with Persaud responding “maybe not…”
Just before Ford’s case was called, a case involving a juvenile came up and Magistrate Benn asked for the court to be cleared. A lawyer stood up and indicated the presence of the press but the magistrate insisted that everyone left.
The media were not allowed to go back into the courtroom and were forced to listen to Ford’s case from the bottom of the stairway.
Ford’s case is likely to proceed by way of paper committal and the prosecution has 45 days to file statements from witnesses.
