BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOLLOWING the alleged raping of a 16-year-old female by two members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF), the institution’s Public Affairs Officer, Captain Kayode Sutton indicated that Force Headquarters has launched an investigation into the matter.
“Force Headquarters, the St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) was just made aware of an allegation concerning the rape of a sixteen (16) year old female, which might involve members of the Force. The SKNDF is investigating this report and will cooperate fully with the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force in this regard to ensure that justice is done,” Sutton said in a press release.
He noted that the SKNDF is a professional organisation and it neither tolerates nor would it condone such misconduct within its ranks.
“The Force remains highly committed to supporting the civil power to ensure the safety and security of citizens, residents and visitors to the Federation,” Sutton added.
He has promised that the local media would be kept informed of all future developments on this matter.
Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Crime, Ian Queeley said today (Feb. 21) that the police are also investigating this matter, which was reported by the girl’s parents sometime Saturday afternoon (Feb. 19).
According to information reaching SKNVibes, sometime between 12:30 and 1:00 a.m. on Saturday (Feb. 19), the teenager was standing on the road leading into Shadwell Estate in the vicinity of the renowned Shadwell great House when an army patrol vehicle stopped close to her and a soldier ordered her to get into it.
The girl refused and a soldier who was seated in the cab disembarked and allegedly pushed her into the vehicle, where she was forced to sit between him and the driver.
Information further states that she was taken to the historic Fort Thomas Hotel and was allegedly raped by two soldiers in one of the bars by the poolside.
An informed source told this publication that after allegedly raping the 16-year-old, the soldiers placed her back into the vehicle, drove to the Newtown playfield and left her there in the company of another soldier.
“They however returned sometime after with the same truck and drove all the way to Upper Monkey Hill and leave her there,” the source added.
