Man found not guilty of raping girl, 12

A 24-year-old man was on Thursday freed after a 12-member jury found him not guilty of raping and engaging in sexual activity with a 12-year-old girl.

Wendson Thomas called ‘Dollius’ was on trial before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Demerara High Court.

He had denied that between March 1 and 31, 2019, in the county of Essequibo, engaged in sexual penetration with a child of 12 years.

He also denied that on March 21, 2019, he engaged in sexual activity with the underage girl, by kissing her on her lips.

The state was represented by prosecutors Nafeeza Baig and Muntaz Ali. Thomas was represented by attorney-at-law Madan Kissoon.

According to the prosecutors, on March 21, 2019, the victim was at a shop when Thomas, who at the time was 22 years old, held onto her hands and kissed her lips.

It is alleged that during March 2019, the victim was alone at home when she heard someone whistling.  After making checks around the house, she allegedly saw Thomas in her backyard.

The two of them allegedly had a conversation during which Thomas asked her “for sex”, but she refused. It was alleged that Thomas then raped her.