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Man allegedly drags victim between parked vehicles & rapes her

-Judge in case described scenario as woman’s 'worst nightmare'
Mugshot of Henson Bedminster. Photo: USVIPD
VI CONSORTIUM

ST. THOMAS, USVI — Bail has been set in the amount of $100,000 for a man accused of perpetrating what a Judge described as a woman’s "worst nightmare."

Henson Bedminster appeared virtually before Judge Henry Carr on Friday and was advised that he is charged with first-degree rape, and first-degree unlawful sexual contact. He is also charged with first and third-degree assault. The charges stem from an alleged sexual assault in the early hours of October 13.

It is alleged that at about midnight, a caucasian female was in the area of Wimmelskaft Gade when she was attacked by a man later identified as Bedminster. The woman told police that she had observed the man sitting in the area while she was taking photographs of buildings, artwork and the nightlife in the area. She said that he later grabbed her and dragged her between a series of parked vehicles and partially into a water gut.

There, she says he pinned her on the ground using the weight of his body, and restrained her hands to stop her attempts to fight against him. In describing the incident to police, the victim noted that the assailant told her “stop fighting me, you are not getting away. No one will help you and you cannot charge me with anything.” According to the victim, he then stuck his hand under her dress and inserted his finger into her vagina. She said while she was initially unable to scream due to fear, she eventually struck the defendant and screamed audibly for help, at which point he released her and she escaped.

According to the probable cause fact sheet, the victim was able to take a photograph of the man as he remained in the area after the attack. However, when he noticed her taking the photograph he allegedly grabbed a rock and threatened her saying, “I’ll smash your [expletive] head in if you take a picture of me.” The woman subsequently ran from the area and sought help from a passerby who she was familiar with. They then called 911, prompting law enforcement and emergency medical personnel to be dispatched to the scene. 

The fact sheet notes that the woman was extremely distraught and tearful when interviewed by police, asking, “why would he do that to me? I have been here over two years, and no one has ever violated me like that.”

When shown the photograph of the suspect, two police officers were able to identify him based on his prior encounters with the law. Henson Bedminster was found and detained by police hours later. While being interviewed by officers, Bedminster admitted to his actions and apologized, stating that “things just got out of hand,” and that he was “sorry.”

At Friday’s advisement hearing, the court was informed that while Bedminster is originally from Dominica, he has a criminal history in the USVI which dates back to 2007. This includes 6 arrests and 5 convictions for various offenses. Appearing for the people, Attorney Brenda Scales requested that bail remain as set at $100,000 as the defendant is considered a danger to the community. Scales noted with concern the nature of the offense, stating that the thought of being dragged into an alley at night and raped, is every woman’s worst nightmare. 

Public Defender Andy Johnson attempted to argue against the charge of first-degree rape, contending that apart from the insertion of a finger, there was no claim of sexual intercourse. However, Judge Carr maintained that this penetration fit the description of rape as defined by the law. Johnson further argued that there was no rape kit conducted and no evidence to go on regarding consent. The attorney also questioned the victim’s claims that she was photographing nightlife in the area at that time, suggesting that there may be “more to the story.” Johnson asserted that it was essentially the woman’s word against that of the defendant. 

Judge Carr told the Attorney that he respectfully disagreed with his arguments and concurred with Attorney Scales that the incident described is the worst nightmare he can imagine for any woman. Moreover, the Judge affirmed that there was no reason at this time for him to doubt the victim’s claims regarding what she was doing in the area. 

Concluding that Bedminster is a danger not only to the victim, but to the wider community, Judge Carr affirmed that bail would remain as set in the sum of $100,000. However, to secure his release, the defendant must identify a suitable third-party custodian and will be subjected to 24/7 house arrest with electronic monitoring.

As part of his bail conditions, he is prohibited from having any contact with the victim and must maintain a 100-feet distance from her at all times. Attorney Johnson noted that his client was effectively homeless for the time being and would be unable to identify a third-party custodian or a residential address.

If convicted of first-degree rape, Bedminster faces a minimum incarceration of 10 years and a maximum of 30 years. The offenses of first-degree unlawful sexual contact and first-degree assault each carry a maximum imprisonment of 15 years. If found guilty of third-degree assault, he faces a maximum fine of $3,000, a maximum incarceration of 5 years or both.

32 Responses to “Man allegedly drags victim between parked vehicles & rapes her”

  • Yep (16/10/2021, 16:57) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    All the way from Dominica he wash up to be a blight on the economy of the VI. Along with many others from that part of the world.
  • bvi (16/10/2021, 18:26) Like (42) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is he still in the USVI if he has that many convictions and he is homeless. Shouldnt he have been deported to Dominica long time ago
    • V0TER #6 (16/10/2021, 21:02) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
      THE SYSTEM IS AT FAULT HE SHOULD HAVE DEPORTED BACK TO DOMINICA.
    • Nature's little secret (17/10/2021, 21:35) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      That's why people keep complaining about the mentally ill individuals who roam in town harrassing women. You don't wait for something tragic to happen in order to take action.
  • resident (16/10/2021, 19:21) Like (38) Dislike (2) Reply
    the punishment for rape should be death
  • Georgie (16/10/2021, 19:48) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    He better hope for the 10 years. … at least he would no longer be homeless for that time
    • @G e orgie (16/10/2021, 21:01) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      Where he will be he will be wishing he was homeless .
      US prison on the US mainland is no joke and a funny talking foreign negro???
      The USVI ships long term prisoners to real prisons in the U. S.
  • Real George (16/10/2021, 19:50) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Leave people alone … next time fondle a car muffler like your cousin did ….
  • usvi (16/10/2021, 20:15) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
    No joke, but I think it is time to set an example and start castrating men who violates and rape women. I was raped when I was 14 years old by a family member and no one believed me. They said I asked for it. Hate is a strong word but I hate the family member that violated and raped me.
    • @usvi (16/10/2021, 21:34) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
      You should file charges. It's never too late.You need closure The hatred u carry is destructive to your health physically and spiritually.
      At least request an apology and acknowledgement from the perpetrator and it it is not forthcoming give a formal complaint.
      You owe yourself that much.
      I am sorry that happened to you.
    • @usvi (16/10/2021, 21:58) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree, but then you will have the idiots hollering about that is inhumane. All rapist need to be castrated if they rape and violate women. Who these men think they are to just take it upon themselves to commit such a violent crime against women.
  • pop (16/10/2021, 20:49) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    U see his face like who cares something I wander who represents those low life barstad
  • LA I ssez (16/10/2021, 20:50) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Tis Dominica he from and claiming he poor and homeless Solution would have been to return home. Glad he will eventually be in a US prison where he will be the target of both the American Black and the Southern White . Rapin a White woman ha ha ha
  • rattie (16/10/2021, 21:04) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rapist much go!
  • CIL Predator (16/10/2021, 21:06) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    This story brought back memories of a creepy old man that did something similar to me when I was 17 years old. He pretended to teach me to swim and violated me at my most vulnerable point in the water where I could not stand up and was at his mercy. I later learnt that he has made similar sexual advances to other young ladies for many years. Sadly he has gotten away with these acts as he is 'believed' to be a 'respectful' person in society based on his business and social affiliations (even serving on reputable organizational boards) and the fact that he is caucasian. In the 1980s it would have been taboo to report such incidents as the victim was often further victimized.
    Thankfully times have changed and women can now let their voices be heard and stand up to these societal predators. To this day he still makes me angry whenever I see him walking around as though nothing happened. He is a monster of the worst kind. He is old and shriveled now but his karma is coming. As a result of his actions, I never learnt to swim. I am sorry this hideous incident happened to this young woman. I hope she gets the psychological help she will need to recover from such a traumatic experience.
    • @Predator (17/10/2021, 09:07) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply

      I also have the same story to tell except it was him and a prominent doctor. The predator you mentioned love to take pictures and kiss and touch you inappropriately too. These people are mastermind. The doctor fumble young school girls and tell them to stop complaining it doesn’t hurt. Easy fet for him taking pap smear. Now it look like he got one he F****o worker pregnant and the w***e hush hush. This place full of old time pedophiles. Them going them grave with them sin..

      • Hope (18/10/2021, 05:41) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        @ Predator
        this doctor needs to be taken down.....only you can start that process. expose him. let others know who it is for real. save others from this abuse. You would be supported throughout this community......it is disgusting to think that someone in such a position of ultimate trust can get away with this...he needs to feel the pain
        • @hope (18/10/2021, 11:13) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
          Years ago I took my younger sister to this doctor. I was not the patient yet he wanted to examine my tongue and wanted to know why a pretty girl like me was still single. I have never personally sought his services since. It still hurts me that he still indirectly benefits from my money (and NHI) as a result of my medical prescriptions. The face of sexual predators knows no skin colour nor profession - they are all around us (even serving on church boards) but many have turned a blind eye while the victims suffer in silence.
    • hurt (18/10/2021, 05:36) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      @CIL Predator
      its all in your title...clever. you should fully expose him. ive heard rumours for years.....it disgust me he get away with this for so long. ..it looks like there are many out there who suffered by him. it is time.
      • @hurt (18/10/2021, 11:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        I recently attended a meeting at his beautifully decorated place of business in his conference room that is complete with a wine bar. It was the perfect time to expose him but I did not want to make my work colleagues uncomfortable. I felt nauseous for the entire meeting especially when he went off-topic and began speaking about persons he taught to swim over the years. He also spoke of his skin cancer diagnosis. Hopefully this is his karma. He needs to suffer for his inexcusable and reprehensible actions. I always wonder how his female employees have managed in his employ. He is a sick individual!
  • See (16/10/2021, 21:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Execution
  • Ladies (16/10/2021, 21:46) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Always walk with something like pepper spray or a taser in your purse or pockets. It seems like it is open season on women. I always walk with a taser a man try to approach me the wrong way, I will light him up in his private parts with my taser. NO MEANS NO DAMIT. SICK OF THESE DIRTY MEN THINKING IT IS OK TO VIOLATE WOMEN AND YOUNG GIRLS.
  • A pity (16/10/2021, 22:00) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    She did not have a gun and blast his behind or a knife and plunge it in his throat.
  • USVI, don’t worry (17/10/2021, 07:59) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    When he get on the inside, he is going to wish he had stayed homeless on the street. One thing about the US, the inmates don’t take to kind to rapist, when you harm children or when you bring harm to the elderly. He is going to get a beating everyday in prison from the other inmates.
  • musa (17/10/2021, 11:07) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Useless mother child shame on you the only thing you deserved is a death sentence.
  • Bumpy (17/10/2021, 11:54) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe someone can explain why was this man allowed to remain in the St.Thomas after his lengthy criminal record? 6 Convictions. Why? Why? Why? That animal could have killed that lady and it would be blamed on the laxness of law enforcement.
    • @Bumpy (18/10/2021, 08:49) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      You know the sad part about this is that if he was deported from the USVI, he would have been home for a short while and then came right here to Tortola to hang out with their cousins and other family members like nothing happened. They call it a new start. This happens all the time. Persons commit criminal acts in their home islands, other islands around the Caribbean and even the United States and once they are out of jail and those who were not even caught, some of them head straight to the BVI because nobody checks and our Immigration are not cautious. I also fear they are committing crimes here, going home or other places for a while, lying low and then head right back. Crime in a small community like ours is destroying the very fabric of our society. We should be connected to Interpol and getting news feeds from all Caribbean islands as to criminal convictions. We should have exit Immigrtion for a proper record of who leaves and when. Most importantly, there should be a clerk in the Immigration Office feeding this information into the main system for Officers to pull up at the entry ports. I would gladly do it for free. I have heard of so many who got through the shoot. We have to pray away this evil.
      • regret (19/10/2021, 11:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        The BVI is the septic tank of the Caribbean islands.
        The character of the BVI has been cruelly decimated by the importation of a labor force adnauseum and adhoc. No real protection and consideration given to the people of these islands and their safety and their quality of life..
  • Real family (17/10/2021, 21:58) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    And they harassing their supposed BVI family with nonsense Covid vaccine and test requirements. I wonder how all those businesses, K-Mart, Cost U less, Home Depot, KFC are doing nowadays since we don't go down there in large numbers anymore.
  • home boy (18/10/2021, 10:56) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    They are doing just fine. don’t need your tires behind.


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