Court Local News News MP’s rape case committed for trial before judge and jury Fernella Wedderburn07/09/20230669 views Neil Rowe (left) in conversation with his attorneys Ralph Thorne SC (centre) and Michael Lashley SC outside the Oistins Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. Rape accused parliamentarian Neil Rowe is now set to face a judge and jury. On Thursday, Magistrate Deidre McKenna committed the accused, in the presence of his attorneys, to stand trial before the High Court on the charge that he had sexual intercourse with a woman on September 18, 2022, without her consent or was reckless as to whether she consented. The matter, which has been before the Oistins Magistrates’ Court for almost a year, is indictable and has to be heard in the High Court. When the magistrate asked Rowe whether he had anything to say before the matter was committed, he replied, “No, Ma’am”. Station Sergeant Wendell Greenidge served notice that “additional evidence will be served on the defence when we receive that at the trial”. Following that submission, Magistrate McKenna committed the case to the Continuous Criminal Assizes. Rowe is represented by Ralph Thorne SC and Michael Lashley SC. Thorne commended the magistrate for her “administration” of the matter.