A 28-year-old St Catherine man accused of sexually molesting his four-year-old niece has been charged with indecent assault and is booked to face the court tomorrow.

The police said that the child's grandmother, who is the uncle's mother, fainted after hearing that he was formally charged on Monday by detectives from the St Catherine North Division.

It reported that on June 15, the child was questioned by her mother about her withdrawn behaviour, when she said, ''Uncle touch me there''.

A report was made at the Spanish Town Police Station and an investigation launched. The accused, whose name is being withheld, was picked up at his home and charged.

As the news of his arrest spread throughout the community, the uncle's mother got wind of the situation and visited the Spanish Town Police Station, where she was informed that her son has indeed been charged.

Having heard of the circumstances which led to his arrest, the mother, who suffers from hypertension, fainted and had to be rushed to the nearby Spanish Town Hospital where she was admitted.

"Yes, the old lady did faint upon learning that her son had (been arrested for) indecently assaulting the child," a police sergeant confirmed yesterday.

It was reported that the accused had also told someone that he only used his private to touch the child.