Youth slapped with rape charge

A 20-year-old farmer was on Thursday remanded to prison for allegedly raping an 11-year-old child who was on her way home from school.
Vladimir Lawrence, of Yupukari Village, Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plead to the indictable charge when it was read to him.
Police stated that between December 4 and December 6, 2019 at Yupukari Village, he engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16.
The matter was heard in-camera. According to information, the victim and the defendant are known to each other since they live in the same neighbourhood.
It was reported that during the period mentioned in the charge, the child was riding her bicycle going home from school when the accused stopped her and requested sex.
The court heard that the child refused and the accused then pulled her off the bicycle, dragged her into the bushes and allegedly raped her.
After committing the act, the accused placed the child back on the bicycle and was taking her home when the child’s father saw them on the bicycle and questioned his daughter, who related what had occurred.
The matter was reported to the Lethem Police Station and the accused was later arrested and charged for the offence.
Lawrence was remanded to prison until December 17, 2019 and was slated to appear in the Lethem Magistrate’s Court.