Rape suspect found hanging in cell

ONE OF two rape suspects due to appear in court yesterday is hospitalised in serious condition after he was found hanging in the prisoners’ cell at Barrackpore Police Station on Sunday. The 26-year-old suspect and another man were arrested Friday in connection with the rape of a Penal schoolteacher who alleged she was abducted and taken to a lonely area in Barrackpore and sexually as-saulted. Both suspects were identified during an ID parade on Saturday. The other suspect, a 24-year-old from Penal, who was detained at Siparia Police Station, was expected to appear before a Siparia magistrate late yesterday. According to reports, on Sunday at around 1.45 pm, Sgt Ali and PC Chaiteramsingh were on duty at Barrackpore Police Station.

When they checked on the suspect who was alone in a cell, he appeared to be in “good spirits.” However, when they checked again 15 minutes later, they found him hanging from a black cord which was tied to a bar at the top of the cell. The officers immediately cut down the unconscious man and summoned an EHS ambulance. Paramedics revived the suspect and took him to San Fernando General Hospital where he was treated and admitted to Ward 3. Police believe he used a cord from his pants waist to try to commit suicide by hanging. Snr Supt Dawson Victor and Supt Joseph Nathaniel, who supervised investigations into the rape, are now spearheading a probe into the suicide attempt.