Priest in court on rape charge

A Catholic priest yesterday appeared before Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls at the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrates’ Court charged with indecently assaulting and raping a woman. The 38-year-old man of the cloth had reportedly been granted bail in the sum of $60,000 when he had earlier appeared before a Port-of-Spain Justice of the Peace. The bail, which covered the two charges, was left at that amount by the magistrate. The charges were laid yesterday by Cpl Emrol Bruce of the Port-of-Spain CID.

The offences allegedly occurred on March 16 and 19 at 85 Frederick Street in Port-of-Spain. Prior to the reading of the charges by McNicolls, the accused sat alone in the court’s holding cell with his lips moving as if he was praying. He was represented by attorneys Andre des Vignes and Ian Brooks. Police prosecutor acting Insp Claudette Bynoe had no objections to bail and des Vignes indicated to the magistrate that everything was in place to process the bail. He will re-appear in court next Friday. Catholic Church officials said yesterday the issue was a legal affair, and the law would take its course. He will not however perform any priestly duties while the matter is in court. At Archbishop’s House there was only a telephone recording.