SASCHA WILSON
A 65-year-old truck driver was on Wednesday found guilty of sexually assaulting a schoolgirl 13 years ago.
Harphis Mohammed of Marabella was remanded into custody to reappear in court next month for sentencing.
Mohammed went on trial before Justice Carla Brown-Antoine in the San Fernando High Court charged with kidnapping a 14-year-old girl and commiting grievous sexual assault against her.
After four hours of deliberations, the jury found him guilty on the sex charge by a majority verdict of eight to one.
But, they were split four to five on the other charge.
As a result, the judge ordered a retrial on the kidnapping charge. Led by State prosecutor Veonna Neale-Munroe, the State’s evidence was that on December 12, 2007, Mohammed was a Marabella to San Fernando taxi driver.
He picked up the schoolgirl at Mt Moriah Road and she paid him the fare to her destination.
She was the only passenger.
It is alleged that he passed her destination, locked the doors and put up the glasses.
He took her Tropical Plaza where he assaulted her.
She managed to get out of the car and ran to get help.
The police arrived shortly after and arrested him.
The matter was adjourned to March 16 when his attorney Subhas Panday, instructed by Surya Deonarine, is expected to give the plea in mitigation.