Girl, 15, rescued in forest

A 15-year-old Siparia school girl, who was sexually assaulted and taunted by a 52-year-old relative in the forest for two days, was rescued by officers of the South Western Division on Friday night. Following information received and hours of surveillance, around 7.30 pm, a party of officers led by Sgt Michael Wells and Cpl Innis Minors, including PCs Anthony Mahabir, Salick Jagroop, Cecil Sadia, Kurn Alexander and Kurt Hagard journeyed two miles into a forested area of the South Western district. According to reports, the man was found standing near the girl when the police surrounded him. The girl broke down in tears when the lawmen identified themselves as police officers. The suspect, a watchman of Siparia, was arrested and taken to the Siparia CID. The traumatised teenager, who was kidnapped last Wednesday, told police that she was forced to sleep on the ground in the forest for two consecutive days and nights. She reported that the man kept threatening to kill her if she tried to escape. During her captivity, the teenager told police that the man sexually assaulted her and she was forced to stay close to him at all times.

A statement was recorded from the teenager before she was medically examined by a doctor at the San Fernando General Hospital. According to police reports, around midday, the girl and her parents had gone to the relative’s house, where  the teen’s parents and the man engaged in a heated dispute.  The suspect became enraged, picked up a cutlass and threatened to kill the girl. He then dragged the screaming girl out of the house and into a forested area. The suspect has since been charged by PC Anthony Mahabir with kidnapping and indecent assault and is expected to appear before a Siparia Magistrate today.