Spanish Town

Police arrested a 69-year-old diabetic man after an 11-year-old schoolgirl was abducted and indecently assaulted in his taxi last Thursday

The senior citizen, said to be the deacon of a church in Portmore, St Catherine, was caught with the schoolgirl in his vehicle at 2:30 p.m. after the police received information that a car parked on the Jamworld complex was foggy and strange sounds were heard coming from inside.

The man is charged with abduction and indecent assault. He appeared in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday and was remanded despite an appeal from his attorney Earl Hamilton. He returns to court tomorrow.

It is alleged that the child was standing in Waterford when the man drove up his taxi. She boarded it, but before other students could come in, he locked the vehicle and drove off.

Clothes undone

It is further alleged that upon their arrival, police found the 11-year-old girl, still in her uniform, on the floor of the Toyota Camry motor car. Closer observation revealed that the man's pants were opened and that oral sex was performed on the child.

In court yesterday, Hamilton told Resident Magistrate Marcia Dunbar-Greene that it was critical for the accused to get bail due to his medical condition. "He has a severe case of diabetes, Your Honour, and needs to get his treatment," he said. But the RM was not swayed. She told the attorney that there is an outstanding statement to be collected and that it is a serious offence.