BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A man, charged with indecent assault of a 14-year-old girl, appeared yesterday (Jul. 12) before Justice Francis Belle at the Basseterre High Court and was fined EC$7 000.
Rudolph John, who did not waste the court’s time, pleaded guilty to the charge and was told by His Lordship took that he has six months to pay the fine or spend 18 months at Her Majesty’s Prison.
The evidence presented in court by the prosecution stated that on June 28, 2008, the 14-year-old went to the Music Festival with her cousin where she saw the accused.
The accused approached and asked her for a dance and she refused, but he proceeded to dance around her.
It was also said that the accused offered her a drink, which she accepted, and after some time had passed her cousin said she was bored with the show and left her in the company of the accused.
On the cousin’s departure, the accused began kissing the girl and after she told him she was tired, to which he responded by rubbing her feet. He also told her that he would get a taxi to take them to a guest house.
However, after failing to check in to a certain hotel because it was closed, the taxi took the accused and virtual complainant (VC) to a guest house near to College Street Ghaut. where they were able to check in.
While in a room at the guest house, there was a knock on the door and the owner entered with the girl’s uncle and a police officer.
She was taken to the hospital, where she was examined, and the accused was arrested and charged.
