BHS sex scandal
…no court date in sight soon – Commander
‘A’ Division Commander, Marlon Chapman, on Monday said that despite being on $100,000 station bail, embattled Bishops’ High School teacher Coen Jackson would have to wait a while before he faces the court.
Over the weekend, Police arrested Jackson at his Pollydore Street, Lodge home and charged him for sexual grooming, sexual assault, and rape committed on a former student.
Embattled teacher Coen Jackson
Jackson is being accused of abusing his position of trust as a teacher to groom female students for sexual activities after they would have attained the age of 16, the legal age of consent. Jackson has vehemently denied the accusations, but did admit to having sexual relations with two former students who are both in their early 20s.
The Police claim that between December 2010 and May 2011, at Durban Street, Lodge, Jackson raped one of his students.
Commander Chapman has said the Police are still building their case against the teacher. He noted that at this time police are yet to receive legal advice on whether or not to take the case to court.
“So far, based on legal advice, we have not been told that we can go to court…we are still pursuing other angles of the investigation, and will determine the way forward,” the Commander said.
The Education Ministry launched a full-fledged investigation into the allegations, and upon completion, authorized the Police to begin conducting a criminal investigation.
The Police investigation has resulted in Jackson being charged for one count of rape. However, the Police have said that their investigation is still ongoing, as they are still investigating other allegations against the teacher of over 20 years.
It was the Ministry of Social Cohesion’s Cultural Advisor Ruel Johnson who broke the news of the alleged sexual misconduct of Jackson on social media, and the story has since catapulted, resulting in a number of past students relating their experiences.
Johnson, in a letter to the Chief Education Officer, detailed numerous reports he had received from present and past students of the teacher, who allegedly sexualized his lessons, had inappropriate conversations with female students, and engaged in multiple sexual relationships with female students.
