A pundit and a schoolboy were yesterday granted bail totalling $.7 million on charges of rape and other sex crimes against a 17-year-old girl.
Pundit Baldath Seegobin, 64, and the 18-year-old schoolboy who attends the same school as the girl, were charged separately since the crimes took place at different times and places but they were both arrested last week Thursday.
It is alleged that Seegobin assaulted the girl at his home last year while the teenager allegedly assaulted the girl at their school on January 17.
Expressing concern about prevalence of sex offences in Siparia and other areas, Magistrate Armina Deonarinesingh granted Seegobin $500,000 bail and the teenager $200,000.
She ordered both men to stay away from the girl.
"I am very concerned with the prevalence of this type of offence in this area and other jurisdictions through the country," said the magistrate when Seegobin appeared before her.
Seegobin, a pundit for more than 30 years, is alleged to have committed the sex crimes against the teenager at Harris Village, South Oropouche, last August 27.
They include having sexual intercourse with a female without her consent, grievous sexual assault and indecent assault.
Asking for bail, attorney Roopnarine Rambachan said Seegobin had no previous convictions or pending matters and lived about two miles away from the victim.
The matter was adjourned to February 23.
In the case of the teenager it is alleged that on January 19 he kidnapped the girl, indecently assaulted her and committed serious indecency at the school. His attorney Ramnarine Soojansingh said he was in Form Four and had a previous matter in court for which he was placed on a bond.
However, the court prosecutor said his information was that the teenager was reprimanded and discharged on a possession of marijuana charge.
He ordered the teenager to stay a mile away from the victim but Soorjansingh said that would be difficult given where the accused lives.
Adjourning the matter to February 2, the magistrate said she would be calling the matter every week to constantly monitor the situation.