Kenyan catholic priest arrested in Jamaica over rape and abduction
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Police in Jamaica have arrested Kenyan catholic priest over four criminal counts; rape, abduction of 12-y-o girl in St Catherine
Police in Jamaica have arrested Kenyan catholic priest over four criminal counts; rape, abduction of 12-y-o girl in St Catherine.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) confirmed on Tuesday that a 39-year-old Kenyan Roman Catholic priest has been charged with four counts of sexual offences following accusations that he abducted and raped a 12-year-old girl at his church premises in St Catherine.
The charges include sexual Intercourse with a person under 16 years, sexual touching of a child, grievous sexual assault, and abduction of a child fewer than 16 years.
The offences were allegedly committed on the afternoon of Sunday, March 19, 2023, but were only reported to authorities on Saturday, June 23, 2023.
Reports are that the priest befriended the child— a 12-year-old primary school student— and lured her to his home on the premises of a Roman Catholic Church in Portmore, St Catherine where he allegedly assaulted her.
The charges were filed after the man was positively identified by the child during an identification parade and a question-and-answer interview with his attorney.
While withholding the name of the priest to respect his privacy, the police requested anyone who may possess additional information regarding the case to come forward and assist in the investigations.
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Detectives also emphasised that they were committed to ensuring justice for all victims of sexual offences.
The Catholic Church in Jamaica acknowledged receiving a report of the arrest and was cooperating with the police to unravel the case.
In response to the report, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston confirmed that the priest was promptly removed from all active pastoral ministries.
“The Church wishes to express publicly its deep concern for all parties involved in this reported incident,” the statement read in part.
Should he be found guilty, the priest risks a minimum of 15 years in jail and deportation after serving his full sentence.
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