AFTER Prosecutrix Mrs. Tashana Lake called three police witnesses yesterday afternoon to testify at the Demerara Assizes that the victim and the other witnesses in a rape matter could not be located, Justice James Bovell-Drakes formally directed the jury to return not-guilty verdicts in respect to two counts of rape against accused Regan Ashley.

The procesutrix was placed in a position where she could not offer evidence against the accused; hence the two counts of rape, said to have been committed on May 22, 2007, when the accused had carnal knowledge of the girl without her consent, had to be dismissed.

The accused had earlier pleaded not guilty to the indictments, and a 12-member jury had been selected to try him. Followng the jury’s verdict, as directed by the judge, the accused was discharged.

(By George Barclay)