The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has disclosed the charges a Roman Catholic priest is facing pertaining to a sexual abuse case, reportedly involving a 12-year-old schoolgirl.
In a release Tuesday afternoon, the police verified that the Roman Catholic priest, who is Kenyan, has been accused of four counts of sexual-related offenses.
The charges against the 39-year-old Roman Catholic priest include sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years old, sexual touching of a child, grievous sexual assault, and abduction of a child fewer than 16 years.
According to police, the alleged crimes of the Roman Catholic priest were perpetrated on the afternoon of Sunday, March 19, 2023, but were only reported to authorities on June 23, 2023.
According to reports, the incidents happened at a Catholic church in Portmore, St. Catherine where the Roman Catholic priest usually conducts his mass. Twelve-year-old primary school student who filed the complaint.
The Roman Catholic priest reportedly made friends with the child and invited her to his house, where he allegedly molested her, according to the authorities.
According to the police, the Roman Catholic priest was charged after being definitely identified by the complainant during an identification parade and a question-and-answer session with his lawyer.
According to the JCF, it is committed to achieving justice for all victims of sexual offenses and encourages anyone with additional information to come forward.
The Roman Catholic priest’s name was kept a secret by the police.
It is disheartening to discover that the Roman Catholic priest whose people had trusted the most was the very person who committed such an injustice act.