SENIOR Magistrate Faith McGusty on Monday remanded a 36-year-old Bartica miner to prison for allegedly raping a nine-year-old girl.

It is alleged that Shawn Cornelius, during September 2018, engaged in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 16.

Cornelius was not required to plea to the indictable charge when it was read to him, and was remanded to prison until January 7, 2019 when the matter will be heard at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

According to reports, the child was staying with Cornelius at his Bartica home during September, when one night while under the influence of alcohol he raped her.
When the child went back home, she told other relatives what had occurred and they reported the matter to the police.