2 taxi drivers, 16-Y-O under investigation for rape of schoolgirl

Two taxi drivers, along with a 16-year-old student are under investigation for the alleged rape of a 15-year-old schoolgirl, an incident that reportedly occurred in June 2025 on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), according to Police Headquarters.
The suspects have been identified as Matthew Burnett, called Delwyn, a 24-year-old taxi driver from Diamond New Scheme, EBD, and Rakchand Harnath, called Kevin, a 30-year-old taxi driver from Best Village, West Coast Demerara (WCD). The 16-year-old student is also from Best Village. According to reports, the victim and the suspects are known to each other. The 15-year-old female victim stated that she and the suspects would communicate via WhatsApp. She also said that on two different occasions, she had met with the suspects, where she had sexual intercourse with them. The victim also stated that the suspects had made videos of her having sex with them without her knowing and threatened that they would post the videos. The victim and her mother were later referred to the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA). According to Guyana’s laws, rape is an indictable matter, and when the matter is brought before the court, the alleged perpetrator is not required to plead (guilty or not guilty) to the crime.
The matter would first go to the Magistrate’s Court for a preliminary inquiry (PI) – which is done by the Magistrate. The prosecution would produce the evidence to the court and at the end, the Magistrate can either commit the alleged perpetrator to stand trial for rape in the High Court or dismiss the case because of insufficient evidence or other reasons. Someone who is found guilty of rape is liable on conviction to serve life imprisonment. Likewise, someone who is charged with rape of a minor is liable on conviction or indictment to life imprisonment.