The charge against Bollywood Club owner Eladio Peraza, who was accused of trafficking a woman, was yesterday dismissed by the Chief Magistrate.
The charge against the 32-year-old Cuban national stated that on January 20, at the club in Providence, he harboured a woman for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Peraza learnt of the dismissal of the charge through a translator, who relayed Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan’s ruling.
The magistrate said that she was not satisfied, beyond a reasonable doubt, that he had committed the crime.
It was further stated that elements of trafficking were not proven by the prosecution nor was there evidence to prove that the defendant intended to compel the complainant to provide sexual services as a means for her to repay the money he would have loaned her.
Additionally, the magistrate noted that there was evidence presented by the complainant during cross-examination that highlighted the fact that the defendant never asked her to sleep with men.
The complainant had stated that Danny, the male she was seen with by the defendant when she first went to the hotel, said that she would have to sleep with men in order to repay the funds.
According to the Chief Magistrate, the evidence of Peraza was credible and was supported by the story told by the complainant.
It was upon these grounds that the defendant was found not guilty and the charge against him dismissed.
