St James rape accused beaten in police custody

Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

The two men accused of the Irwin Point rapes of five St James females have been relocated from the Montego Freeport station after they were reportedly beaten by their cellmates last night.

The police have confirmed that the men have been relocated but are tight-lipped regarding the reason.

However, our sources say the men received multiple injuries during the attack and after an assessment, the police decided that their safety would be at further risk if they remain at the facility.

Meanwhile, the police say the two men have now been charged with a range of offences.

Addressing a press conference at the Wexford Court Hotel this afternoon, Superintendent Gladys Brown Campbell, the head of the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse, said the men are charged jointly with burglary, robbery with aggravation, illegal possession of a firearm, abduction, and assault at common-law.

In addition, rape suspect number one has been charged with rape, burglary, sexual touching, grievous sexual assault and unlawful wounding.

Rape suspect number two will face the additional charges of rape, and grievous sexual assault.

Both men are to make their first court appearance next Tuesday.

The females including an eight-year-old girl and her mother were attacked about 10 o’clock last week Monday night when their Irwin Point home was invaded by the two gunmen.

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