Berbice teen allegedly raped by US-based family friend

Police in ‘B’ Division (Berbice) are investigating the alleged rape of a teenage girl in her home by a family friend, who was vacationing in Guyana recently.
According to reports, the 15-year-old high school student who hails from Berbice, was at home alone with “an older gentleman” who was visiting from the United States and was staying at her house.
Guyana Times understands that the 57-year-old overseas-based Guyanese is a friend of the teen’s grandmother and would stay at their home whenever he is visiting.
It is alleged that the incident took place on August 16, however the matter was only reported to the Police on Wednesday night, by which time the alleged rapist had already returned to the US.
Commander of ‘B’ Division, Ian Amsterdam, pointed out that the fact that the family waited some two weeks before lodging a complaint with the Police allowed the alleged perpetrator to return to the USA.
“When they came to make the report it was too late to arrest him because they made it when the man had already gone out of Guyana. However, we are still pursuing this case and whenever he returns to Guyana he will be apprehended and we will send the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice on the way forward. We are not closing the case just because he isn’t here. Personally I will ensure that it is not left like this. If he is guilty then justice needs to be served,” Amsterdam vowed.
While investigations continue, the Divisional Commander is urging persons who have been physically or sexually assaulted to come forward as soon as possible and make an official report to Police so that the perpetrators can be dealt with accordingly.
Amsterdam further lamented that there are many cases which do not even come to the Police directly as well as the fact that some persons take a long time before they come to the Police for help.
“The sooner they come then the sooner we can help them and the faster we can ensure that the guilty people are caught…If people do not come forward then they are denying themselves justice and delaying it also. So I want people to rest assured that when you come forward and make your report we will handle your cases fairly and in a timely manner,” the Commander assured.