FORMER technical drawing (TD) teacher of the Zeeburg Secondary School, Royden Rankin of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, was on Thursday, July 30, committed to stand trial in the High Court by Leonora Magistrate Rushell Liverpool at the end of the preliminary inquiry (PI) into a charge that he had raped a 15-year-old student.

When he appeared before Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs in May 2013, Rankin denied the allegation that, on February 16, 2013, he had engaged in sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16, and was subsequently released on $200,000 bail.
The Chronicle was made to understand that the matter was reported to the Leonora Police Station by the parent of the child after the child had confessed to being raped by her teacher. The young girl was reportedly traumatised and had threatened to commit suicide.

The child had also confided in one of her friends that the teacher had raped her in the TD Room, and that she was scared to tell her parents. Her friend had sought the help of another teacher, who had advised that the girl’s parents should be informed.

By Clestine Juan