Bus conductor granted bail on rape charges

Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on Tuesday granted a 37-year-old bus conductor bail after he was charged for raping a child under the age of 16 on two separate occasions.
The accused, Handikuma Bakker of Pearl, East Bank Demerara (EDB), was not required to plead to the indictable charges. The first charge detailed that between May 1, 2018, and May 31, 2018, in Georgetown, he had sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old.
Another charge stated that between June 1, 2018, and June 31, 2018, in Mahdia, Region Eight, he engaged in another act with the said 13-year-old girl.
However, Bakker was fortunate to be granted bail in the sum of $300,000 on both charges and will return to court on January 29, 2019. Additionally, Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus ordered the accused to stay away from the minor.
Reports are alleging that the accused and the teen were in a relationship, during which he took her on several trips and also gave her cash.
But sometime after, the teen’s parents became aware of what was taking place and reported the matter to the Police.