A 38-year-old labourer from Siparia has been charged with grievous sexual assault and buggery after allegedly luring a woman into his vehicle under the pretence of operating a taxi and assaulting her at his home.
Police said the incident occurred around 6.15 am on June 28, when the woman was standing in front of a fast-food outlet on High Street, Siparia, waiting for transportation to San Fernando.
She was approached by a man who identified himself as a private-hire taxi driver and offered her a ride.
The woman entered the vehicle, followed by two other passengers in the back.
The driver then headed east before diverting from the expected route. After the other passengers disembarked, the driver allegedly continued with the woman alone, eventually taking her to a house on Bermudez Trace.
Police said the suspect dragged her into the building and assaulted her. The woman was able to resist further violence and escaped the premises, seeking help from a nearby resident. She later reported the incident to the police.
Acting swiftly, PC Jaglal and PC Noel of the Siparia Criminal Investigations Department (CID), along with WPC Nelson of the Siparia Police Station, accompanied the woman back to Bermúdez Trace. There, she positively identified the suspect, who was seated in the same vehicle. He was arrested on the scene and taken to the Siparia Police Station for questioning.
Police confirmed that he was later formally charged with one count of grievous sexual assault and one count of buggery.
He is scheduled to appear before a magistrate at the Siparia Magistrates’ Court.
