Man accused of sexual offences against minor to face January trial

A St John man accused of sexual offences involving a minor will stand trial early next year, after pleading not guilty to the charges in the Supreme Court. 

Jeremiah Isiah Butcher of Venture was arraigned before Justice Pamela Beckles in the No. 5 Supreme Court and denied having sexual intercourse with a girl who was nine or ten, between January 1 and December 31, 2015.  

He also pleaded not guilty to having sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old girl between January 1, 2015 and April 20, 2018.  

The complainant, who was present in the court, told the court tearfully that the alleged assault was “still affecting me” but was unable to say at that time whether she would be proceeding.  

Ordering counselling for the complainant, Justice Beckles adjourned the case until January 26 for trial.  

“We will see what happens on that date,” the judge said.

(JB)