No 1 accused tells court sex was consensual

Barama rape case

– 2 deny being at location

The three men accused of raping a 17-year-old girl on the Barama Complex all took to the stand to give sworn testimony in the presence of a mixed jury and Justice Jo-Ann Barlow in the High Court on Monday.

Paul Abrams of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara; Claude Craig of Barama Quarters, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, and Holston Melville, called “Pumpkin”, are all on trial for the alleged rape which occurred at the Barama Land of Canaan Complex.

Craig is represented by Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes and Kezia Williams, while Abrams and Melville are both represented by Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos.

Abrams, the number one accused, on Monday told the Court that the sex was consensual, while his co-defendants pleaded not guilty and denied being at the location. Senior Counsel De Santos concluded his submissions, while Attorney Hughes and State Counsel Siand Dhurjon are expected to present their submissions today.

According to reports, the teen was raped by Abrams, her supervisor, while she was working the night shift with him. Abrams allegedly asked for help and then led the teen into a room and had sex with her without her consent.

After the accused was finished, he allegedly locked the teen in the room and returned with a friend who reportedly sodomised her after which the third accused allegedly went in and did the same.

The Police were summoned and charges were later filed.