Policeman on $300,000 bail

PC Barry Roopnarine, 35, stood before Senior Magistrate Armina Deonarinsingh in the First Court, where the three charges were read .

The first charge against Roopnarine alleged that on December 26, at Penal, he took a woman against her will. The magistrate read the second charge which alleged that on the same date and place, he attempted to have sexual intercourse with the said woman, who is not his wife and without her consent. The last charge alleged that on the same date and place he did commit an act of grievous sexual assault on the woman. All charges, laid by Sgt Ramsingh of Penal CID, were indictable and thus the accused policeman was not called upon to plead. Roopnarine’s attorney Chris Ramlal in his application for bail, told the court that the accused lives at Rochard Road, Penal, with his parents and nine-year-old son.

The attorney added that Roopnarine has strong family ties as well as strong, ties with his community in that he is an active sportsman. Roopnarine, who was last posted at St Mary’s Police Post in Moruga had no previous convictions or pending matters.

Court prosecutor Sgt Anthony Baptiste made no objection to bail being granted to the accused policeman but added that conditions be applied. Baptiste noted that a state attorney has to be appointed to prosecute in the matter. In granting the $300,000 bail, to be approved by a Clerk of the Peace, Deonarinesingh ordered that the accused not go anywhere within 200 feet of the alleged victim or her place of residenc.

The magistrate further ordered that PC Roopnarine has no form of communication whether direct or indirect with the woman.

The case was adjourned to August 28.