Man accused of rape remanded

A 36-year-old man has been remanded to Dodds Prison on a statutory rape charge.

Rene Renaldo Blades, a general worker from Joe’s River, St Joseph, appeared before the Magistrates’ Court at District ‘F’ Belleplaine, accused of having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl between May 6 and 22.

He could not plead to the indictable charge before Magistrate Douglas Frederick.

Sergeant Victoria Leacock objected to bail for the accused based on the serious nature of the charge and the age of the child.

“The accused is of the belief that this child is his girlfriend, and the prosecution believes that if granted bail, he would interfere with the witness . . . ,” she told the court.

The accused made an unsuccessful bail application before he was remanded until June 27.