LAKERAM Persaud of Bartica, Region Seven, was remanded to prison on Monday, after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to answer a charge of raping a 12-year-old girl.The 50-year-old was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleges that he had engaged in sexual penetration of the child sometime earlier this year in Bartica.

The matter was heard ‘in camera’ and Persaud did not have legal representation. The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrate’s Court for May 11.