A man accused of raping a teacher walked out the Suddie High Court a free man on Monday after a jury unanimously acquitted him of the charge.
Following hours of deliberations, the 12-member mixed panel returned with its verdict, finding Hilton Gilbert not guilty of sexually penetrating the then 18-year-old without her consent, on May 6th, 2018.
Trial Judge Priya Sewnarine-Beharry informed Gilbert that the jury had found him not guilty and that he was free to go.
The State’s case, presented by Prosecutor Tiffini Lyken, had been that the young woman returned home from a party in the wee hours on the day in question and found Gilbert, whom she knew, at her house.
The court heard from the teen that Gilbert began making sexual advances towards her but though she rebuffed him, he forced himself on her and raped her.
The young woman had told the court that she was somewhat intoxicated and did not have the strength to fight back but maintained that she never consented to the former-accused having sex with her.
Two days after she told her mother what had transpired and a complaint was lodged with the police, which led to Gilbert being arrested and charged.
The trial proceedings were heard in-camera at the Essequibo High Court in Suddie.
