The trial of Andrew Van Roy, a Dutch national, commenced yesterday at the Special Criminal Court in
Testifying as the first prosecution witness, Hassan Marena, a police officer attached to Brusubi Police Station, told the court that, on 11March 2011, he was instructed by his station officer to obtain a cautionary statement from the accused person.
He added that in doing so he invited an independent witness, called Jandeh Saine.
“I read the cautionary warding to the accused person in English to his understanding. The accused then signed the statement, the independent witness also signed. I also signed as the recording officer,” he added.
He further told the court that the accused person had given his statement voluntarily in the English language, and it was later read to the accused, and he said he was satisfied.
He recognised the said statement and the Director of Public Prosecutions applied to tender the statement, which was admitted as an exhibit without any objection from the defence counsel.
Hearing continues today.
Andre Van Roy, who denied the charges, was charged with rape, defilement, two counts of seduction and two counts of indecent act.
According to the particulars of offence on count one, in 2008 at Tintinto village in the West Coast Region, the accused had canal knowledge of an underage girl.
Count two stated that, between 2010 and 2011 at Tintinto village, in the West Coast Region, the accused had canal knowledge of an underage girl.
Count three stated that between 2008 and 2011, at Tintinto village in the West Coast Region, the accused caused the seduction of a 15-year-old girl.
The charge sheet on count four stated that the accused, Andre Van Roy, between 2010 and 2011 at Tintinto village in the West Coast Region, caused the seduction of a 15-year-old girl.
According to the particulars of offence on count five, between 2009 and 2011 at Tintinto village in the West Coast Region, the accused person exposed his genital organs to an underage girl.
Whereas count six stated that, between 2010 and 2011 at Tintinto village in the West Coast Region, he exposed his genital organs to an underage girl.
