Toshao remanded for rape of 10-year-old daughter

May 08, 2014 News

– child remains hospitalised

A Toshao from Region One was yesterday placed before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, charged with two counts of rape after he reportedly confessed to raping and impregnating his 10-year-old daughter.
According to the charge, the incidents took place on April 27 last, and sometime between January 1 and 31, 2014. During the brief in-camera proceeding, the accused was not required to plead to the charge. The Toshao had no legal representation but stood in the prisoner’s dock as the charge was read to him yesterday.
He was subsequently remanded to prison until May 19, when the matter comes up in the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court.
Details relating to the matter are that the leader of an Amerindian village in Region One was apprehended and charged after his daughter was taken to the district hospital and it was revealed that the child is four months pregnant.
Medical inspections indicate that the child was sexually active and “it wasn’t a one-time act”.
Further investigations suggested that the child has been having regular sex. The Toshao was later arrested and confessed to his involvement in the crime. A source close to the investigations had said that incest is common in the area.
“It is an ongoing something. It is only because she got pregnant the village now knows about it. The residents would drink, get drunk, and go have sex with their relatives and those that born and grow into it don’t even know that it is wrong. Many children in this area don’t even go to school; it is a disgusting situation.”
Meanwhile, Officials of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) are looking after the welfare of the 10-year-old girl, who remains hospitalized.
“The Childcare and Protection Agency is working in the best interest of the child, at this point, our main focus is ensuring that the child receives adequate medical attention…she will receive counseling but we are working on ensuring that she gets well again,” an official disclosed.
The official further explained that whilst such incidences are prevalent in the hinterland communities, the Childcare and Protection Agency has been constantly engaged in outreach exercises, which are aimed at re-educating the population.
“We have found that in some cultures there is a high tolerance level for females to become sexually active at a young age.
This is not acceptable or in accordance to the laws of Guyana. However, we have emphasized during our outreaches that there must be a safe distance between culture and law.
Cultural practices must not infringe the laws because regardless of how we may want to look at it, incest is a crime.”

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Toshao remanded for rape of 10-year-old daughter

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