A 28-year-old labourer of Hampton Court, Essequibo Coast was placed on $150,000 bail when he appeared before Magistrate Ms Faith McGusty in the Anna Regina Magistrate Court on July 29 to answer a charge of carnal knowledge.

Labourer Denroy Reid was not required to plead to the charge read by Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Prosecutor Inspector Oswald Pitt said the matter is very serious because many 14 year old girls are involved in cases on similar matters.

Several relatives who had gathered in the courtroom told the Guyana Chronicle that the 14-year-old girl eloped with Denroy after telling him that she is 17 years old.

According to the relatives, after the girl’s parents found out about the relationship, the matter was reported to the police and a search was launched for Denroy and the teenager.

But they eluded police for some weeks and were living at Parika. Then Denroy had decided to return to his parent’s home at Hampton Court thinking that he was safe from the law and police.

Neigbours however, saw him with the school girl and quickly informed the police who arrived well-armed to capture him.

Reports said Denroy, on seeing the police, ran to the sea dam embankment trying to hide, leaving his young ‘bride’ in the house.

He was pursued by the police officers in a ‘lively’ chase that attracted scores of residents. He was eventually caught in the Life Springs Ministries Church compound at Devonshire Castle.

Residents said the young man did not commit a crime and should not have been taken to the police station.

Relatives of the young man also said Denroy tried to commit suicide Tuesday night in the Anna Regina lockups.

According to the relatives, he ingested a quantity of cleansing liquid.

They said the man, who is divorced from his first wife, fell unconscious on the floor after drinking the fluid and was rescued by other prisoners. He also refused to eat for some three days while in the lockups.

Reports said the 14 year old girl is also threatening to commit suicide if she cannot be with her lover.

The girl parents do not want any trouble with the law and have agreed to get the two people married.