Man tries to flee BVI after alleged sex with minor

Magistrate Ayanna Baptiste DaBreo has remanded a 46-year-old man who is accused of having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of consent (16) at his home and at his workplace.

The court was told on Friday that the man had sex with the girl some time between 2013 and 2014 when she was ‘approaching 13 years old’.

The court has ordered that his name be withheld.

Magistrate DaBreo remanded the accused based on reports that he – among other things – tried to flee the British Virgin Islands (BVI) before he was arrested and charged.

Prosecuting attorney O’Neil Simpson described the accused resident of Purcell Estate, Tortola, as a flight risk.

He further told the court that, based on witness statements, the alleged sex offender had asked his employer for a salary advance in excess of $3,000.

Simpson said the accused reportedly planned to use the funds to run off to the United Kingdom to avoid being prosecuted.

“The Crown has a live and patent fear that, if given bail in these circumstances, the defendant will make good on his promise to flee this jurisdiction,” the prosecutor said.

While giving more reasons bail should not be granted, Simpson told the court that the accused would also try to interfere with or harm the witnesses in the case.

He said the accused had expressed ‘antagonistic views’ towards the person who he thinks is responsible for him being before the court.

After hearing the prosecutor’s arguments, Magistrate DaBreo said: “I don’t believe that this defendant is a good candidate for bail.”

“It appears to me that the defendant has been put in fear that there might be enough evidence to convict him,” the magistrate added.

Sex on two occasions

Allegations are that, after police received reports about the alleged sexual offence, they conducted an interview with the victim, who is now 15 years old.

The interview revealed that the man and the child had sexual intercourse twice.

The first encounter reportedly happened at the man’s Purcell Estate residence between September 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014.

The minor reportedly stated that, on the first occasion, the accused brought her into his room, removed their clothes, and had sex with her.

It is further reported that the second incident happened between September 1, 2013 and August 29, 2014.

The accused, on that occasion, reportedly had sexual intercourse with the girl at his workplace – an upstairs facility for which he had keys.

It is said that, on the day of the encounter, he met the girl on the road and took her in a vehicle to the workplace in question.

The minor claimed that he kissed her, removed her clothes, and they had sexual intercourse. He then carried her home, the court heard.

Further investigations, as well as a medical examination of the youngster, led to the man being arrested and charged.

He is being represented by attorney-at-law Ruthlia Maximea, and is scheduled to return to court for paper committal on March 8.