A GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) soldier has been charged with raping a minor at the Army base in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Junior Talbot, of Lot 82 Middle Walk, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo in New Amsterdam Court yesterday and was ordered to post a total of $300,000 bail, until Tuesday.

He faced two indictable charges of carnal knowledge and Police Inspector Satrohan Dayaram, prosecuting, had objected to pre-trial liberty for him, on the grounds of the nature, gravity and prevalence of the offence.

The Prosecutor said the accused is a military person and should have know better than to accept the alleged claim, by the victim, that she is 16 years of age, old enough to give legal consent.

Asked by the magistrate, whether Talbot is a flight risk or if there is a likehood he would tamper with the witness, the Prosecutor said he was not in a position to say.

Defence Counsel Charran Das Persaud reminded the Court that the offence is a bailable one.

The lawyer said the virtual complainant had pursued the accused, who has since been interdicted, and caused him to indulge in the sex acts on his base and at Onderneeming New Housing Scheme, West Coast Berbice.

Talbot was made to lodge $150,000 surety on each of the two carnal knowledge charges.