No bail for rape accused

Afteba Huggins, 36, of South Oropouche appeared before Senior Magistrate Armina Deonarinesingh.

Charges alleged that on Monday November 28, Huggins raped the SRP constable at Berridge Trace, South Oropouche; falsely imprisoned her. Another charge alleged he shot at the officer with intent to murder her. Another charge was that he also robbed her of a quantity of gold jewellery and a Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) jacket together valued $9,750, and used personal violence against her. The last two charges alleged that on the same date and place, Huggins had in his possession a firearm and ammunition.

Sgt Gokool of the South Oropouche Police Station laid the charges.

The SRP, the charges stated, was on her way to conduct guard duties at a polling station on the morning of the local government election when she was attacked.

Huggins’ attorney Ramnarine Soorgansingh told the court his client is a caretaker at Arawak Limited in Mausica, is married and father of five children aged 14, 13, nine, seven and four. Huggins’s wife who was in the courtroom, for the in-camera proceedings, is expecting their sixth child.

The attorney complained that even before his client was arrested, there was “wide publicity” about the alleged incident. During his bail application, Soorgansingh requested that the matter be “treated with respect” adding that the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, must be applied.

Looking at the criminal records of Huggins, the attorney noted that the accused has pending matters including rape and wounding with intent.

Soorgansingh also asked that the matter be expedited. Court prosecutor Sgt Anthony Baptiste objected to bail on the grounds that the accused had been charged for criminal acts allegedly committed while he was on bail for a similar type offence (rape).

Magistrate Deonarinesingh denied Huggins bail and informed him of his right to apply to a Judge in Chambers for bail, if he so desires.

The case was adjourned to December 30. As officers were escorting the accused out of the courtroom, his wife threw a yellow towel over his head so as to prevent media photographers from taking photos.