Jamaican national, Paul Alexander, had his application for a bail variation denied when he appeared before the Magistrate's court yesterday, December 4, 2012. Photo:VINO

This is despite the apparent lack of cooperation from the Virtual Complainant (VC) and Crown Counsel Leslie An Faulkner’s revelation that the prosecution’s file had no change in status since the beginning of the proceedings.

Alexander is charged with committing the act of rape on August 19, 2012 after he allegedly offered  the VC a ride to her destination in Parham Town and took her to Little Mountain on Beef Island instead where the incident reportedly took place. The two allegedly shared an intimate relationship which ended sometime in May, 2012.

The court was previously informed that the defendant parked his jeep, climbed over on the VC and told her he wanted to have sex, which she said no to and asked him to stop. The allegations further stated that the man forcefully pulled down the VC’s pants and underwear, and in a struggle, had sexual intercourse.

Statements coming from the VC stated that Mr. Alexander held both her hands over her head, and that he wasn't wearing a condom at the time and ejaculated in her. The court was then told that after the act, the VC allegedly jumped out of the vehicle and stood on the roadside where she then got a ride to the East End police Station where she was able to make a report to officers of what had just allegedly occurred.

Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards had informed the defendant that rape is one of the most serious offences and one that carries a sentence of life imprisonment.

When the matter came up for hearing before Magistrate Richards yesterday December 4, 2012 Ms Faulkner told the court that the matter was scheduled for a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) and the instructions from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was for the continuation of the matter. Given the circumstances, Ms Faulkner related that she would endeavour to hold discussions with the DPP on going forward, since nothing had changed in the file.

Defence attorney, Ruth Maximea, related that disclosure had only now been made in the matter after being ordered some time ago. She also made a plea for a variation in the defendant’s bail which is set at $70,000. Magistrate Richards denied the application while stating that there would be no reduction in the cash component of the bail and it was not for the defendant to come up with the funds but for others “who love and care for him” to do so. She added that the court remained satisfied that the bail set was necessary to ensure the defendant’s attendance at trial.

The matter will come up for hearing once more on December 14, 2012.