By FARRAH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A 14-year-old girl has accused her cousin of caressing her near her private parts last year.
The 26-year-old man is currently on trial before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis for the incident that was alleged to have taken place in July 2020.
When Sergeant 2672 Desmond Rolle testified yesterday, he said he was on duty at the Criminal Investigation Department when the teenager’s mother told police that her daughter had been indecently assaulted by a relative. Sgt Rolle said he was also told that the suspect was in custody. He said he then collected the man and placed him in an interview suite with the teen and her mother.
The officer said during the confrontation, he reminded the minor of the complaint her mother had made on her behalf and asked her to explain what happened on the day in question. The court was told that the girl had told Sgt Rolle that her cousin, the accused, rubbed her thighs near her groin and placed his hands on her hips while they were laying in the bed. Sgt Rolle said when she was asked if she saw the man who inappropriately groped her sitting in the room, she pointed to the accused who was sitting across from her and her mother.
He said after the meeting, he escorted the accused out of the interview suite and took him back to the cell block. He said he then recorded a statement from the mother and daughter before informing the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s sexual offence unit of the incident.
During cross-examination, Sgt Rolle said the only role he played in the investigation was hosting the confrontation. When asked, he also said the accused denied the allegations during the meeting and claimed the 14-year-old girl was lying.
The case continues October 12.
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