Self-styled Bishop to stand trial for rape of church member

Jun 15, 2018 Court Stories, News

Charged: Joseph Persaud

Joseph Persaud, a self-styled Bishop of a La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara church, was yesterday committed to stand trial in the High Court for rape, following the conclusion of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) conducted by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Yesterday, the court ruled that there was sufficient evidence against Persaud for him to stand trial before a judge and jury at the Supreme Court.
The matter was prosecuted by Police Prosecutor Richard Harris, whose witnesses were able to provide ample evidence throughout the PI.
It is alleged that during the month of October 2017, Persaud invited a 22-year-old woman for ‘counselling’ at his Diamond, East Bank Demerara residence, where he allegedly raped her.
It was also reported that Persaud and the woman had previously shared a three-year relationship, which reportedly ended.
Reports also indicated that the victim ended the relationship with Persaud after his wife found out, but he refused to leave her alone. He allegedly called and stalked her.
However, the victim subsequently met Persaud at his home, where he is alleged to have forcefully had sexual intercourse with her.
The victim had claimed that Persaud forced himself on her when his wife was away.
Persaud is currently out on $350,000 bail pending the determination of the matter in the High Court.