Psychiatric evaluation for senior on buggery charge

Tanesha Mundle

A senior citizen, who has found himself on the wrong side of the law after allegations surfaced that he sexually assaulted a 12-year-old boy, is to undergo psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he is fit to answer to charges of buggery and gross indecency.

The 59-year-old man was remanded in custody when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court recently, after Resident Magistrate Georgianna Fraser ruled that he is to be examined by a psychiatrist.

However, the accused, who could be seen mumbling to himself, begged the magistrate to give him bail, but it was denied.

"Not today, I need to find out whether or not you are a danger to yourself and to others," Fraser said.

According to police reports, on March 23 this year, the complainant left school about 9:00 am and went to visit the accused man, who lives in a tree.

The youth, who is a ward of the state, reportedly spent the night at the accused man's 'home' and was fondled and raped.

The man was arrested the following morning when residents saw him with the child in the community and called the police.

The juvenile reportedly informed the police of the ordeal and the man was charged.