Man accused of fingering woman’s rectum

Magistrate’s Court, John’s Hole, Tortola

A man in his forties was hauled before the Magistrate’s Court this month for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman by – among other things – putting his finger into her rectum.

Charged with two counts of indecent assault is Jerome Hopkins Jr of Baugher’s Bay, Tortola.

He was not made to plead when he appeared before Magistrate Jack Husbands, because the charge is indictable.

That means the matter is triable before a judge and jury in the High Court.

The prosecution alleged that, during the early hours of February 2 this year, the female complainant and a friend were walking in the Baugher’s Bay area.

Hopkins allegedly rode up on a motor scooter, and had a sharp verbal exchange with the woman.

It is alleged that he started to choke her.

The court further heard that the brief altercation ended, and the woman’s friend left the area.

Hopkins allegedly entered the woman’s residence some time later without permission.

It is alleged that he forcibly removed the woman’s clothing and sexually assaulted her.

Further allegations are that Hopkins stuck his finger into the woman’s rectum. He then waved the finger in front her and grinned, the court heard.

The woman reportedly asked the accused how he would feel if another man did that to his daughters.
Hopkins then left the residence.

The incident was reported to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, and Hopkins was arrested and charged.

The accused man, who is being represented by attorney-at-law Valerie Stephens Gordon, was granted $70,000 signed bail.

Magistrate Husbands, in the meantime, ordered Hopkins to report to the Road Town Police Station on Mondays and Fridays between 6am and 6pm.

He is scheduled to return to court on November 29.

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