Later date for MP to answer to rape charge

The trial of rape-accused Member of Parliament Neil Gabriel Rowe has been delayed another three months and transferred to another court.

While the case of the former deputy speaker of the House was set to begin in the No. 5 Supreme Court on Tuesday before Justice Pamela Beckles, Principal State Counsel Olivia Davis announced that the court was already engaged in other cases and could not proceed with Rowe’s at that time.

The court also heard that Senior Counsel Michael Lashley, who represents the St Michael North West MP, is already currently engaged in several other trials.

The trial has been transferred to Supreme Court No. 2 and is to be presided over by Justice Randall Worrell on September 24.

Rowe has pleaded not having intercourse with a woman without her consent, knowing that she did not consent or was reckless as to whether she consented, on September 18, 2022.