By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A 28-YEAR-OLD man accused of sexually molesting his six-year-old daughter was denied bail yesterday.
The man, whose name has been withheld to protect the identity of the child, was not required to enter a plea to charges of incest, indecent assault and child cruelty during his appearance before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux.
However, prosecutors claim he had sex with the child on March 12 among other alleged acts.
During yesterday’s hearing, bail was denied and the case was adjourned to May 30 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until that time.
However, the accused has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
In a separate matter, 30-year-old Ian Rolle was also charged in court.
Rolle was arrested after he allegedly touched an American tourist’s breast and vagina on March 7.
Police say the woman reported she was at Sandyport Beach last Monday when Rolle approached her, asking to lay on the hammock beside her, to which she replied “No.”
The woman said Rolle then asked her if he could shake her hand, to which she agreed. However, as she extended her hand, the woman said Rolle grabbed her breast and then told her “this is how we greet in The Bahamas”. The woman said moments later, Rolle also touched her vagina and then left.
It was at that point when she went to find her husband, who then followed Rolle and took a picture of him.
As a result, police action was requested and Rolle was subsequently arrested.
During yesterday’s hearing, the 30-year-old admitted to the offence when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt.
Rolle told the court he had apologised to the woman and her husband after committing the offence and claimed he told them that he sometimes experienced mental issues.
Asked by the magistrate yesterday if he was in his right mind on the day in question, Rolle replied that he was.
He said he is sorry for his actions and even asked the court for leniency.
“I was hoping if I could get community service or a fine because I acknowledged my mistake,” he said.
However, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt told the accused that he deserved a custodial sentence given the seriousness of the offence.
She said his actions were inexcusable and unacceptable and could lead to repercussions for the country’s leading tourism industry.
“You crossed the line… and your actions affected our tourism industry,” the chief magistrate said, adding that she had to send a stern message to would-be offenders who might be considering similar acts.
As a result, he was sentenced to 28 months in prison.
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