No bail for three charged with rape of mom, daughter

Shouts and gasps of disbelief were heard from spectators who gathered outside the Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court yesterday when three suspects in the September 22 rape and robbery of a mother and daughter were taken to court.cJoel Vialva, 20, Jason Kareem Romeo, 18, and Stephen Lonely, 23, bowed their heads as they were escorted to court by armed policemen. They were arrested hours after the incident. Yesterday was the second day spectators gathered outside the courthouse, lining both sides of Railway Road,  hoping to catch a glimpse of the men. The trio appeared before Magistrate Gillian David-Scotland in the First Court on charges of burglary and rape.

What seemed to shock most onlookers were the youthful appearance and diminutive statures of Vialva and Romeo. “Look at these little boys who did this!” one person exclaimed. The men, who did not have legal representation, were not called on to plea as the charges were laid indictably. They were denied bail and remanded in custody to next Friday. Police prosecutor, Sergeant Asraph Haspodeen, told the court one of the victims remained in a serious condition at hospital. It is alleged that four men broke into the victims’ home in Longdenville on September 22 at around 2.30 am.

They allegedly tied up the woman’s two sons, raped the 49-year-old woman and her 17-year-old daughter, then stole a quantity of cash and jewelry before escaping with the family’s car. Two of the suspects were held during a police exercise at Longdenville, while the third surrendered to police at Independence Square, Port-of-Spain. They were charged on Wednesday evening by acting Sergeant Susan John, of the Chaguanas CID.
A fourth suspect, also from Enterprise, is still at large.