By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

BAIL was granted yesterday to two 18-year-old youth who were charged with raping a 15-year-old American tourist early Monday morning.

Acting Chief Magistrate Joyanne Ferguson-Pratt set bail at $10,000 each for Dino Bethel, of Pride Estates, and Parron Knowles, of Elizabeth Estates. They have to report to a police station twice a week and have two suretors post their bond.

The magistrate granted bail to the accused youth because they had no previous convictions, and the police prosecutor did not object to bail. Also the complainant had already left the Bahamas.

Bethel and Knowles face a charge of rape allegedly committed on August 5 at Paradise Island where it is claimed they had sex with a 15-year-old girl, an American, without her consent.

The accused were not required to enter a plea to the charge and were informed that their case would be fast-tracked to the Supreme Court for trial on November 26 by a Voluntary Bill of Indictment.

Lawyer Roger Gomez II claimed that his client (Knowles) was not informed by police that it was his legal right not to have his blood taken from him, which he claims police did while he was in custody.

The magistrate said she would make a note of this.

The lawyer also requested that police hand over a copy of the surveillance footage from Comfort Suites and Anthony’s Bar & Grill between 12:30am and 1am.

The magistrate said the lawyer was being “quite presumptuous” that the police had the footage. Mr Gomez II replied that police informed him that footage was being acquired.

Both accused were placed in a holding cell at Nassau Street Court Complex until their bail was posted.

Bethel retained Glendon Rolle to defend him.