Tag: rape

Trial opens for Berbice contractor accused of raping minor

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

A 12-member jury was empanelled on Tuesday at the Berbice High Court as the trial of a 40-year-old contractor accused of raping a child got underway.
​The accused, Dexter Pheledelphia (also known as Dexter Clarke), has been charged with the rape of a child under the age of 16, contrary to the law. The matter is being heard before Justice Deborah Kumar-Chetty.
​The court heard that the alleged offence occurred on August 6, 2016, in Berbice and involved the sexual penetration of a 12-year-old child. Pheledelphia pleaded not guilty to the charge.
​He is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Kevin Morgan of the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic under state assignment. The prosecution is led by State Counsel Marisa Edwards.
​In her address to the jury, Justice Kumar-Chetty advised the 12 jurors to carefully consider the evidence presented during the trial and to determine whether the accused is guilty or not guilty based solely on that evidence.
​The court was informed that several witnesses are expected to testify, including three residents, three police constables, and one medical doctor. Justice Kumar-Chetty indicated that the empanelled jury will serve for the duration of the trial, which is scheduled to continue on February 9, 2026.

Former GTU President gets 19 years for child rape

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Former educator and past president of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Colwyn King, was today sentenced to 19 years in prison.
Three weeks ago, the 61-year-old was convicted of raping a six-year-old child.
The sentence was handed down by Justice Simone Morris during a court hearing earlier today. King, who acted as his own legal counsel, appeared unrepresented during the proceedings.
The guilty verdict was delivered by a jury at the High Court after reviewing the evidence presented during the trial. King, who had been out on bail, was immediately remanded to prison following the conviction.
The incident occurred in 2021 and involved two acts of sexual abuse committed while the child was in isolation.
In 2016, King was acquitted of a similar charge related to a 2009 incident involving another minor. That case had gone to trial seven years after the alleged offence.
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Caption: Colwyn King (GTU photo)

Barrack labourer charged with child rape

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Andre Stuger, a 53-year-old barrack labourer from Sparendaam, was arrested on Wednesday and charged today by ranks of the Sparendaam Police Station with the offence of rape of a child under 16 years.

Police, in a release, said that at about 15:30 hrs this afternoon, the accused appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court before Her Worship Magistrate Abigail Gibbs, where the charge was read to him. He was not required to plead and was remanded to prison.

The matter was adjourned to 4 August 2025 for report.

Former GTU President Colwyn King found guilty of rape

Posted on by Editor

Retired educator and former President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), Colwyn King, was today found guilty of raping a child under the age of 16.

The verdict was delivered by a jury at the High Court after reviewing the evidence presented during the trial. King, who had been out on bail, was immediately remanded to prison.

Sentencing is set for July 17 before Justice Simone Morris.

The incident occurred in 2021 and involved two acts of sexual abuse committed while the child was in isolation.

In 2016, King was acquitted of a similar charge stemming from a 2009 incident involving another minor, which was brought to trial seven years later.