KESTO David of Heatburn Village, East Bank Berbice, who allegedly engaged in sexual penetration of a 15-year-old schoolgirl, appeared before New Amsterdam Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs Marcus to answer the indictable charge of rape.

The 29-year-old chauffeur was not required to plea to the charge, but was ordered to post bail in the sum of $175,000.

David, a neighbour and family friend of the virtual complainant’s, would customarily transport the teenager to and from school, and to wherever she requested, for the consideration of a fee.

On March 27, 2014, he was allegedly requested to take the teen from her home to an Internet café in New Amsterdam, where she did some research. Sometime afterwards, she informed him by text messaging that she was ready to return home.

They commenced their journey to the East Bank with another passenger joining the vehicle; and David allegedly drove past the teen’s home to drop off that passenger. Thereafter, he drove to a desolate area in Belle Vue Village, where he removed the teen’s clothing and engaged the teen in penetrative sex.

When she returned home, the teen informed her sister what had transpired, and a subsequent report at the Central Police Station and a visit to the New Amsterdam Hospital resulted in the chare being instituted against David.

The teen’s sister informed the Magistrate that the teen, who has since left the New Amsterdam jurisdiction, had not been counselled, and she expressed hope that measures could be instituted for the teen to receive professional help.

The case has been fixed for a July 18 report.