A 19-year-old camera installation technician was granted bail with of $200,000 with a cash alternative of $25,000, after he appeared before a Couva Magistrate charged with sexual grooming of a child, two counts of sexual penetration of a child, knowingly creating child pornography via video recording and knowingly having possession of child pornography.
Austin Samaroo, of Bank Village, Carapichaima, appeared before Magistrate Alexander Prince.
He was ordered to report to the Freeport Police Station once a week, to have no contact with the victim or her family members directly or indirectly and not to be in close proximity of the victim or her family members.
It is alleged that between January and February 2021, the accused communicated with the victim on social media.
In September 2021, the accused allegedly visited the victim’s home and had sexual intercourse with her.
A report was made to the Freeport Police Station and the Child Protection Unit was contacted and an investigation was launched into the matter with the assistance of the Cyber Crime Unit.
The investigations revealed the accused made a video recording of the interaction he had with the victim.
He was arrested on April 24 and the charges laid last Tuesday
Investigations were spearheaded by W/Supt. (Ag.) Claire Guy-Alleyne and W/Insp. Charles, while charges were laid by PC Vijay Ramkissoon of the Child Protection Unit - Central Division.
