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Prosecution star witness testifies in rape and robbery trial

Apr 26, 2014 News

The Prosecution star witness spent the entire day on the witness stand giving her evidence in chief when the matter of Beesham Gopaul called “Thackoor” 27 of No. 74 Village, Corentyne who is on trial for rape and robbery continued on Thursday in the Berbice High Court before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a mixed Jury.
Gopaul is on trial for allegedly raping and robbing an 18 year old mother of two on June 24, 2008 at No. 73 Village, Corentyne. The case started on Tuesday and is continuing with 11 jurors since one of the jurors was robbed the night before and was excused from the matter.
State Prosecutor, Attorney at Law Renita Singh, in her opening address, stated that around 13:30 hrs on the day in question at No. 73 Village, Corentyne, the virtual complainant who was 18 at the time, was at home with her baby watching television.  She was jolted when she felt something on her neck. She heard someone saying ‘Don’t scream or I will kill you.’
The woman was asked for her jewelry and she told the person that they were in the bedroom. She was then forced towards the bedroom. Whilst going towards the room the perpetrator picked up a knife from the plate rack and placed it on her neck. She then noticed that what the bandit had before was a file.
He then proceeded to rob her of two gold rings, four gold bands, one pair gold bangles, three pairs of earrings and $10,000 in cash. Her hands were tied behind her back with a baby napkin and she was told to lie on the bed. It was then that she saw Gopaul’s face and realized that it was someone she knew as ‘Thackoor’ for over 10 years around the area.
He then instructed her to take off her clothes. He pulled down his pants and underwear and had sex with her. He then left, but before doing that he took her cell phone valued $30,000 and warned her not to holler. He threatened to kill the baby outside if she disobeyed.
After a while she managed to free herself and went to her mother who lived a few doors away, and told her what took place. She then visited the Springlands Police station accompanied by her mother and husband. The police accompanied her to the Skeldon Hospital where she was examined and a Medical Certificate issued.
Later the same day she identified the accused at the Springlands Police Station.
Being led by State prosecutor Renita Singh the virtual complainant gave a detailed report of what occurred on the day in question. The baby was on the bed. She managed to free herself and left the house about 10 minutes after the assault. When she first informed her mother about the incident she did not mention that she was raped because she was afraid.
Under cross examination by Defence Attorney, Carolyn Artiga, the virtual complainant stated that the accused was wearing a shirt with blue and green stripes, black pants, black Boots and a green hat. She lives in a second lot and the place is mostly surrounded by bush.
She did not inform her neighbour first or tell her mother that she was raped because it was the first time something like that had happened to her and she was confused and afraid. She said that when she saw the man at the police station he was wearing the same clothes.
The matter is continuing.

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