A construction worker was yesterday granted a $400,000 bail release after he denied raping a 16-year-old girl.
Rickardo Maniram, 32, of Industry, appeared before the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, where he denied raping the girl in an attack at her home last October.
It is alleged that while the young girl was home alone, Maniram entered the home and confronted her. It is alleged that he pushed her into her parents’ bedroom, where he forced her to have sex with him.
Maniram was placed on $400,000 bail by Magistrate Zamilla Ally, who ordered that he avoid contact with the victim and surrender his passport. His next court date is September 21st.
