1 to face Judge, jury for child rape; another released on bail

A 21-year-old man who is accused of raping an underage girl was on Wednesday committed to stand trial at the Berbice High Court.

It has been alleged that, between November 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019, at Ithaca Village, West Bank Berbice, Jason Matteson engaged in sexual penetration of a 10-year-old girl.
Following a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court, Magistrate Peter Hugh informed the rape accused that a prima facie case has been made out against him to put him on trial for the offence. Accordingly, Matteson was committed to stand trial at the next practicable session of the Berbice Criminal Assizes.
It was reported that the girl’s parents had left her in the care of Matteson when he raped her. A report was made to the Police, and following investigations, he was arrested and charged with the offence. The rape accused remains on $50,000 bail pending the hearing and determination of his trial.
In a similar case, a 33-year-old man of Kwakwani, Upper Berbice River has been charged with the offence of rape contrary to Section 3 (3) of the Sexual Offences Act.
Kataka Kellman appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, and was not required to plead to the indictable charge. It is alleged that he committed the offence between May 13 and May 14, 2021.
Magistrate Wanda Fortune granted him bail in the sum of $100,000. His next court date is December 28 for statements.