By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A DEFENCE Force officer faces up to life imprisonment if convicted of the attempted rape of a 78-year-old woman.

Kennedy Vaughn Francis, 23, of Bell Road, Colony Village appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt facing a single charge of attempted rape allegedly committed on July 3. It is claimed he tried to have sex with the woman without her consent.

Francis was not required to enter a plea and was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison until his next Magistrate’s Court appearance on September 30. The unrepresented marine was denied bail.

At the next scheduled hearing in court no.9, the matter is expected to be forwarded to the Supreme Court through service of a Voluntary Bill of Indictment.

Francis will be allowed to enter a plea to the charge when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court before receiving a date for his trial.