By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 24-year-old man was denied bail last week after being charged with raping and robbing a woman at knifepoint at a Grand Bahama inn in January.

Prosecutors allege Shemar Moss attacked the complainant in a room on King’s Road around 4am on January 19. The woman said Moss demanded sex, pulled a knife when she refused, and robbed her of her phone. She alleged he forced her to unlock the device, assaulted her, and raped her after removing her tampon. She said he slapped her when she begged him to stop.

The complainant claimed Moss told her she would not get her phone back and ordered her to leave. She also said she had been in a relationship with his brother, Steffon Moss, who was asleep in the room at the time.

Shemar Moss was charged with rape and armed robbery, while his brother was charged with abetment to rape.

During a bail hearing before Justice Petra Hanna-Adderley, prosecutors noted that a witness, Othnell Clarke, withdrew his police statement without explanation. Justice Hanna-Adderley said it was troubling that he could not stand by his statement only months later but nonetheless accepted the withdrawal.

The court heard Moss argued that being held in custody prevented him from supporting his children and family. However, Justice Hanna-Adderley noted he was already on bail for murder and attempted murder at the time of the alleged assault.

Prosecutors say Moss fatally shot Torry Henfield and wounded Crawford Hanna during a shooting at a night spot on East Sunrise Highway on December 25, 2021.

Justice Hanna-Adderley ruled that Moss posed a high risk of reoffending and interfering with witnesses and denied bail. His rape trial is scheduled to begin on July 27, 2026.

Cassie Bethel represented Moss, while Sean Smith prosecuted the case.