Cop in court for sex with schoolgirl

A police officer attached to the North Eastern Division appeared before a Port-of-Spain Magistrate yesterday charged with having sex with a minor. The officer, who was arrested on a warrant on Tuesday, was charged for the offence by WP Cpl Carol Hickson of the San Juan Police Station following extensive investigations into allegations that the officer had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old secondary school student. The officer was granted $50,000 bail by a Justice of the Peace shortly after he was charged. The 35-year-old officer, who has some 17 years service, appeared before Magistrate Marcia Murray in the city’s Seventh Court, where three indictable charges were read to him.

The first charge stated that on January 15, 2004, in the San Juan area, the officer (name called) did have sexual intercourse with consent, with a person who is not his wife, the person having attained the age of 14, but not 16. The details of the two other charges dated March 27, 2004, and September 6, 2004, were the same. All three charges were laid indictably. Representing the police constable at the proceedings was attorney Elvis O’Connor, who asked the prosecution to disclose the necessary documents pertaining to allegations made against his client.

After the attorney’s request, the magistrate told O’Connor, “ It has become fashionable for attorneys to come to court and ask for disclosure, when really, disclosure is an ongoing thing between an attorney and the prosecution.” Police prosecutor acting Insp Kenneth Cordner took note of the request and informed the attorney that the necessary arrangements would be made to have the information forwarded to him in the quickest possible time. The matter was adjourned to August 2, when the victim, who will be on vacation from school, is expected to appear.