Latest update January 15th, 2025 2:11 AM
Teen freed of raping child
When he was just 15 years old, Audry Bess was indicted for sexual activity with a child and rape.
Freed of rape:
Audry Bess
But after hours of consideration by a mixed 12-member jury at the Georgetown High Court yesterday, Bess was freed of the charges.
Now, 18 years old, the former accused had undergone a closed trial before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the High Court. He was represented by Attorneys Dexter Todd and Folio Richards. The case was presented by State Attorney, Mandel Moore.
Almost in tears and in handcuffs, the former rape accused thanked the judge and jury moments after he heard that he was found not guilty of the charges.
Bess had worn a nervous expression prior to hearing the jury‘s decision. The panel took almost three hours to deliberate. They returned with not guilty verdicts on the three counts of sexual offences for which the teenager stood accused.
Following the announcement by the jury yesterday, Justice Barlow charged the teen to use his time to better himself.
The judge noted that during the trial, Bess was described as a trouble-maker. She expressed hope that the teenager would use the experience as a turning point for his life.
“You are young …You have been given another chance. Use the time to make something good of your life,” the judge urged.
However instead of walking out the courtroom a free man, Bess will return to prison, since he is currently serving a sentence for another offence.
Back in 2014, the teen was slapped with three charges related to rape and sexual activity with a child under 16 years old.
The incidents allegedly occurred at Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
The Virtual Complainant, (VC), a female, was only eight years -old at the time.
(Rehanna Ramsay)
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