UWI rape suspect denied bail

THE MAN referred to as the ‘serial rapist’ was yesterday denied bail when he appeared before a Tunapuna Ma-gistrate on multiple charges of rape and robbery. The 35-year-old man appeared before Magistrate Jo-Anne Connor charged with three counts of rape and three counts of robbery at the Tunapuna Magistrates’ Court. It was alleged that the offences, two of which took place in Cunupia and four along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway in the vicinity of the University of the West Indies, St Augustine campus, occurred on September 19, 20 and 22. The unemployed man was held near the UWI campus.

He was charged yesterday by PCS Anthony Remy and Dexter Dardaine, both attached to the St Joseph Police Station. The accused, who was not represented by an attorney, made a request for bail, to which the prosecutor Sgt Balchan Mahase objected because he (the accused) had not yet been traced. Connor denied the bail application. Asked by the accused for a chance to prove his innocence, Connor assured him, “You are considered innocent until proven guilty and that is why you were brought before the court.” The man was remanded into custody and the matter concerning the four St Augustine offences was adjourned until October 21. The matter concerning the two Cunupia offences was adjourned until October 22 and transferred to the Couva Magistrates’ Court.