trinidadexpress.com- A MAN who offered a 14-year-old girl a ride to the grocery but instead took her near a cemetery where he touched her private parts and breasts was yesterday found guilty of the offences.
Gerald Delpeche, 48, of Siparia, was on trial for the 2007 kidnapping and indecent assault of the child.
The jury heard evidence from the victim and five other witnesses during the trial before Justice Kathy Ann Waterman-Latchoo at the San Fernando High Court.
Evidence led by State attorneys Danielle Thompson and Katrisha Ambrose was that before 7 p.m. on March 4 2007, Delpeche offered the victim a ride to a grocery.
He instead took her near a cemetery in Siparia where he touched her private parts and breasts.
He was later charged by WPC Brenda Lumpriss.
A nine-member jury took two hours on Wednesday to find him guilty of both offences.
Delpeche, who was represented by attorney Rekha Ramjit, had testified that the victim made up the claims. He called no witnesses on his behalf during the trial.
Delpeche, who was out on bail before the trial, was remanded into custody following the verdicts.
He will return to court next Thursday when Ramjit is expected to mitigate on his behalf
