Magistrate throws out rape case against former REO

After stirring much controversy almost two years ago, the rape case filed against former Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Carl Parker was on Monday dismissed.
The decision was made by Magistrate Alan Wilson when he upheld a no-case submission by Parker’s Attorney, Jerome Khan, dismissing the charge. Parker was charged under Section 4 (3) of the Sexual Offences Act, Chap 8:03, with sexually assaulting a female, who was an elected official serving on the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at the time.
It was alleged that on June 6, 2016 at Yupukari Village, Region Nine, Parker

touched the woman in a sexual manner without her consent. The matter was reported six months later, on December 30, 2016.
Parker had publicly denied the claim. However, some 1200 residents in the Region had petitioned President David Granger for Parker’s removal, as he was accused of discriminatory practices and “unprofessional conduct”. That petition, dated April 11, 2016, detailed some 13 accusations against the former REO – most of which were of sexual harassment.After Parker was charged in February 2017, the trial commenced on March 6, 2017. During the trial, there were several delays.
In his no-case submission, Attorney Khan reminded the court that the VC had claimed in her evidence-in-chief that she could not leave the room which she willingly shared with Parker during their visit to Yupukari, as she needed a key, which was under the control of the then REO, to exit the room from the inside.
The defence lawyer then recalled Detective Sergeant Seetaram’s testimony during which he told the Court that during investigations, he found that there was no need for a key to unlock the door to exit the room, as one simply needed to turn a door knob.
Khan also highlighted the fact that the Police Officer found that the lock to the room in question was never changed from the period of June 2016 to when he was directed to investigate this aspect of the matter.
In handing down his decision on Monday, Magistrate Wilson said that the charge was bad in law and rather than charging for an offence under the Act, the charge was laid using the penalty clause.
With the prosecution already closing its case and submissions made by both sides, the presiding Magistrate ruled that the charge now could not be amended.
When the decision was handed down, shrieks of joys erupted from Parker and his family members.
The decision comes on the heels of the Region facing yet another sexual assault scandal. Rape allegations have been levelled against the Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) Sherwin Wellington by a female colleague, who alleged the incident occurred on a business trip to Karasabai on behalf of the RDC.
Last week, Senior Superintendent Kevin Adonis, who is currently heading the Police’s F Division (Lethem and Interior Locations), told Guyana Times that the case file has officially been completed and the matter has been sent for legal advice.
After the allegations were made, Region Nine Chairman Brian Allicock was the first to speak out on the matter, noting that such occurrences “tarnish the image of the administration”.
Wellington has since denied the allegations.