PRINCIPAL Magistrate, Judy Latchman on Monday released a 37-year-old taxi driver on $150,000 bail on the charge of raping a 14-year-old girl.

Subbaschand Harrichan of Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, was not represented by an attorney and he was not required to plead to the charge which read that between December 1 and December 31, 2016 at Georgetown he engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16.

The prosecutor, Corporal Shawn Gonsalves, made no objection to bail and the matter was adjourned until July 5.

According to reports, Harrichan was hired to take the teen to her school in the city. However during that time it is alleged that a relationship was formed between the two. It is further alleged that Harrichan would make the child stay away from school to see him during which he would pressure her for sex.

The child’s mother later learnt that her child was sexual active and was skipping school to see Harrichan, who worked near their home.