IN a Carnal knowledge case at the Demerara Assizes yesterday a young woman ,an alleged victim of a sex offence , who refused to testify against accused Sheldon Eastman called ‘Shelly’ was subjected to cross-examination by presiding judge William Ramlal.

The girl was the star witness for the prosecution in a case where Sheldon Eastman called ‘Shelly’ of Mocha, is charged with having had carnal knowledge of a girl above the age of 15 years and under the age of 16 years.

Eastman pleaded not guilty to the charge and a 12-member jury was selected to try the case.

But the prosecution’s case showed signs of breaking down when the star witness entered the witness box and told prosecutor Ganesh Hira that she would not be giving evidence against Eastman who is the father of her young child.

The young woman also said that she and the accused were living as husband and wife and that they were expecting to be married shortly.

The young woman who was subjected to cross-examination by the judge, in the interest of justice, declared that she has faith in the accused, and knows that he would marry her.

She did not believe the judge that the accused would be using the strategy of marriage proposals while he was placing his eyes on another young woman. The victim said that she was hoping for the best.

The Judge explained that it would have been a different manner if the victim and the accused were lawfully married, and pointed out that the accused had no defence, since it was common knowledge that he had sex with the victim when she was underage and incapable of consenting.

At this stage, defence counsel Sobers said that his instructions were that the victim and the accused were recently residing in Trinidad and that they had come back to Guyana to attend the trial. Counsel also said that he had on several occasions advised the accused to marry the victim

At this stage, the judge invited both lawyers to address him on the amendment as it related to the common law relationship and compellability. The hearing was adjourned to Monday next when the lawyers are expected to address the Court.

The accused with dreadlocks, and his wife to be, left court in a state of togetherness.