A 24-year-old man who had been on trial for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl was acquitted by a jury after the panel returned a unanimous not-guilty verdict on Thursday.
Triston Telford had been on trial for the offence of rape of a child under 16 before Justice Navindra Singh at the Sexual Offences Court in Demerara. The charge against the welder had alleged that he engaged in sexual penetration with the girl between December 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 in Georgetown.
Freed: Triston Telford
After the jury delivered its verdict, the trial Judge informed Telford, who was present in court, that he was free to do.
During his trial, the court heard that Telford allegedly penetrated the girl’s vagina with his penis for about 45 minutes. He had also allegedly threatened her prior to allegedly committing the act.
State Counsel Nafeeza Baig had appeared for the prosecution, while Attorney-at-Law George Thomas had represented Telford.
Telford was first charged in December 2020, and when he appeared before the Chief Magistrate, he was released on $150,000 bail and instructed to report to the Police periodically. (G1)
