A former national and West Indies cricketer was granted $300,000 bail yesterday when he appeared in court charged with incest.The 38-year-old appeared before magistrate Siumungal Ramsaran charged with the offence allegedly committed against his 12-year-old daughter on July 8.
The man cannot be named because to name him would identify the alleged victim, in contravention of the Sexual Offences Act.The cricketer, who was represented by attorney Ken Wright, was given a cash alternative to bail in the sum of $150,000 and had to surrender his passport.
When the matter was called just after lunch at the Tunapuna Second Magistrates Court, the courtroom was cleared as the charge was read out to him.The media were told afterward that Wright had asked for his client to be given his own bail which meant he would just have to sign a document promising to return to court on every occasion the case is called.
Prosecutor Sgt Trivelle Petti objected, citing the seriousness of the offence.Petti also asked for the man, who also has a coaching licence, to surrender his passport as he was believed to be a flight risk. The case was adjourned to September 15.
According to police reports the man's daughter told her mother she was at home with her father when he forced himself on her.The incident was reported to the police and he was charged by WPC Veronica Williams.