Jury unable to reach verdict in rape trial

Twenty-year-old Ronaldo Persaud, who was indicted at the Sexual Offences Court for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl in 2016, will have to face another trial after jurors were unable to reach a verdict after almost four hours of deliberating in the High Court Thursday.

Persaud of 19 Miles, Rockstone, Essequibo River was on trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow.

It is alleged that he raped the child between October 25 and 26, 2016.

Persaud had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice Barlow told Persaud that he will have to face another trial at the next practical sitting of the Demerara Assizes.

Persaud was not released on bail since he is currently serving a sentence for possession of a firearm, and two break and enter and larceny offences.

He was represented by Attorney Ravindra Mohabir, while the State’s case was presented by Prosecutors Seeta Bishundial, Lisa Cave and Sarah Martin.