A 32-year-old man from St. Catherine accused of sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl, has been remanded in custody after the court heard that he is suffering from a mental breakdown and claims to be hearing voices.
The accused appeared before Senior Parish Court Judge Janelle Nelson-Gayle on Friday to face charges of forcible abduction, rape, and sexual touching.
During the proceedings, the court was informed of the man’s mental state. Judge Nelson-Gayle rejected a suggestion for bail and postponed the matter until November 18 to allow for further evaluation.
According to police reports, the incident occurred on September 25, when the child was on her way home from school. She was allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted by the accused.
He reportedly attempted to flee the scene in a vehicle, but community members intervened, apprehended him, and handed him over to the police.
The matter was reported to the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA), which launched an investigation that led to the man being formally charged.
