Man found not guilty of 2011 rape of minor

A man was yesterday unanimously found not guilty of raping a 13-year-old girl back in 2011.

After about two hours of deliberations, a 12-member mixed jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict, thereby acquitting Dasraj called Dan.

Justice Navindra Singh who presided over the case, then informed the former accused that he was free to go.

The indictment against Dasraj was that on July 16, 2011, in the County of Demerara, he engaged in sexual penetration of the 13-year-old girl.

At the commencement of his trial on Monday, he pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

The proceedings were held in-camera at the High Court in Georgetown and saw about five witnesses taking the stand.

Dasraj was represented by attorney Bernard De Santos, while the state was represented by prosecutors Narissa Leander, Michael Shahoud and Siand Dhurjon.