Save kids from sex crimes

Lalla made the comments while freeing a 40-year-old fruit vendor who was charged with raping his neighbour’s ten-year-old daughter.

The judge said that by not enforcing the DNA legislation “great injustice is being done to children, such as the victim in this case, in relation to sexual crimes against them.”

He explained: “In the present case there was no evidence apart from the evidence of the ten-year-old victim and her nine-year-old brother, whose evidence was riddled with inconsistencies.

“It is unfair to expect such children to stand up to cross-examination by experienced defence attorneys. The DNA legislation is needed to balance the scales of justice in sexual crimes involving minors.”

Lalla called on the DPP’s office to use its influence to get Parliament to immediately implement the legislation, given the frequency of sexual offences against minors.

The vendor was freed after the judge accepted a no-case submission from defence attorney Roger Ramgoolam.

The vendor went on trial before the judge and a nine-member jury last Friday in the San Fernando Third Criminal Court.

The State’s case, led by State counsel Taramattie Ramdass, was that on November 9, 2004, after the girl returned home from school.

She and her brother were alone at home.

The jury heard that the girl went over to the vendor’s house then returned to her home shortly after.

The State led evidence that the vendor followed the girl to her home where he raped her. The rape was witnessed by her brother, the State claimed.

The jury heard evidence of six State witnesses, including a doctor and the girl’s brother. In his defence, the vendor said he was not home on the day of the alleged rape.