Latest update December 3rd, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
- Exxon says US$2.5B spent to purchase oil ships is a ‘win’ for company
- Guyana’s 3rd oil project achieved fastest ramp-up in the history of deep-water operations- ExxonMobil Guyana President
- After days of Israeli strikes, Hezbollah hits back, each accusing the other of ceasefire violations
- 791 drivers nabbed speeding in last week of November-police
- Jagdeo blanks Opposition representation on procurement boards
Breaking News!!! Fort Wellington Secondary teacher charged with carnal knowledge; dismissal from education system likely to follow
Ronald Forde, as he leaves court.
Ronald Forde, the 25- year- old teacher of the Fort Wellington Secondary School on the West Coast of Berbice, was charged yesterday (THURSDAY) with having carnal knowledge of one of his 14- year- old students, fully knowing that she was under the age of 18. The charge, to which he was not required to plea, was read to the trained teacher at the Weldaad Magistrate’s court. He was then refused bail by Magistrate Roby Benn after the prosecution made a few statements one of which being that if the defendant was granted bail, he could tamper with the witness.
Meanwhile, the teacher’s lawyer, Charrandass Persaud argued for bail by stating that his client would even lodge his passport with the police and that his client has been a very active member of his Bel- Air, West Coast Berbice community. The defense further argued that the teacher’s pastor has been helping his client to deal with the ordeal. The lawyer also stated that the allegations against his client are just that, allegations and that this is not the first carnal knowledge matter in Guyana and questioned why the media has given it so much attention. He also expressed shock about the matter being told on the international scene. The magistrate then asked him if all of that was of any relevance to yesterday morning’s proceedings.
Persaud also told the court that his client was also willing to resign from his job and relocate away from the district. Even after all of these promises and arguments, Magistrate Benn denied bail and deferred the matter to March 2, at the Weldaad Magistrates’ Court.
The head teacher of the Fort Wellington School was among the many persons who turned up to witness the proceedings. She could’ve been heard saying, “He ain’t kill nobody”. Forde arrived in the court in handcuffs, shortly after 10am and was seated, awaiting his case to be called. He broke down in tears. When it was time for the matter to be called, the magistrate ordered the media and public out of the courtroom, saying that it was a matter that involved a juvenile.
Everyone then retreated downstairs and listened as best as they could to the proceedings which lasted under 15 minutes.
Forde was then escorted over to the Weldaad Police Station during which he covered his head with a shirt given to by a family member.
Forde had complained of losing his cell phone about two weeks ago. The phone was eventually found and after it was perused, images of the teacher having sex with the female student were seen. It was rumored that the teacher and student were having an affair.
The matter was subsequently reported and ranks of the New Amsterdam and Fort Wellington Police Stations, including Commander of ‘B’ Division, Steven Merai, swooped down on the premises and arrested the teacher.
It was also alleged that the teacher is in the habit of sexually molesting a number of other students in the school.
Now that the teacher has been charged, it is expected that the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) will lay charges leading to his ultimate dismissal from the profession.
(Leon Suseran)
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Morally Right. Legally wrong
…Peeping Tom Morally Right. Legally wrong Kaieteur News- The situation concerning the disputed parliamentary seat held... more
Haiti: Tragically Descending into Deeper Crisis
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- As gang violence spirals out of control in Haiti, the limitations of international... more
Weekend Cartoon
