Man accused of trying to rape neighbour

A defence counsel suggested on Tuesday that it would be difficult for prosecutors at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court to mount a case against a man who is charged with assault with intent to rape, as they are relying only on voice recognition to identify the suspect.

"The complainant said that the person that accosted her was wearing a mask, the lights were off, she could not see the place or the person. She said she heard a voice that sounded like the accused man's voice, who is her next door neighbour. That is all the Crown is relying on in this matter," attorney-at-law Davion Vassell submitted.

The allegations are that on March 19, the complainant was at home when she heard strange noises in her room. When she checked, the accused man, who was wearing a biker's mask, hid in the dark and asked, "Where is your cousin?"

She was allegedly accosted by the man, who held an ice pick to her neck. It is alleged that the man removed her shirt and used it to cover her mouth and attempted to remove her underwear, but was unsuccessful. He fled the scene. He is charged with burglary and assault with intent to rape.

Parish Judge Leighton Morris asked prosecutors what was the relationship between the accused and the complainant, and how long they have known each other.

"They are neighbours, the complainant is 17 years old, and she knew him all her life," the prosecutor responded.

It was then that Judge Morris indicated that he would offer the man bail in the sum of $250,000 with at least two sureties. He is to reside at an address provided in St Catherine and was subjected to a curfew order. He is to surrender his travel documents and is to report to the police three times weekly. A stop order was also imposed.

He was made the subject of a fingerprint order and is to return to court on May 29 when the matter is set for mention.

- T.T.