News Americas, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Fri. July 14, 2023: Police in Jamaican have charged an African-born Roman Catholic priest with sexually abusing a 12-year-old schoolgirl.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) say the 39-year-old Kenyan priest is facing four counts of sexual-related offences, including sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years, sexual touching of a child, grievous sexual assault, and abduction of a child under 16 years.
According to the police, the alleged offences took place on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at a Roman Catholic Church in Portmore, St Catherine. The incidents were reported to authorities on June 23, 2023, and an investigation was launched. It is alleged that the priest befriended the child and subsequently assaulted her at his residence.
Following an identification parade and a question-and-answer interview with his attorney, the accused priest was positively identified by the complainant, leading to the filing of charges. The JCF emphasizes its commitment to ensuring justice for all victims of sexual offences and encourages anyone with additional information about the case to come forward.
The name of the priest involved has not been disclosed by the police at this time.
