By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A JURY acquitted a man accused of raping his 14-year-old grandniece in court yesterday.

The 59-year-old male, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the minor, appeared before Justice Neil Braithwaite as his trial for two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse concluded.

Prosecutors alleged he had unlawful sexual intercourse with the minor twice on their family property in May 2021.

The complainant reportedly told her mother of the alleged assault sometime in June but could only do so through text.

The complainant’s mother testified she noticed her daughter had become withdrawn in a two-week span after the alleged incidents and had started to wear boys clothing.

The mother’s suspicion was further aroused when she noticed the defendant being nicer to the complainant and giving her cash. She was also allegedly offered cash by the defendant.

However, Detective Inspector Jewel Gray testified that during a confrontation between the defendant and the complainant, the defendant denied having sex with the girl, saying he doesn’t rape women and claimed she was his niece.

He also denied allowing her into his home and alleged she fabricated the accusations because of her reputation with other men in the neighbourhood.

The defendant claimed he saw the complainant enter a house with a man and remain there for about 30 minutes on the day of one of the alleged assaults. He said he intended to report the incident to the complainant’s mother but alleged the girl got to her first.

He also reportedly described the complainant as “a hot one” and claimed she had offered her body to him.

Lyle Moore, a friend of the defendant, testified the accused had a generous spirit and would often counsel the complainant.

Justice Braithwaite highlighted an inconsistency in the complainant’s testimony, noting she initially said she visited the defendant’s house twice, then later said she went three times.

Marianne Cadet represented the accused.