Update | Bahamian legislator on rape and death threat charges granted bail
Published:Wednesday | August 9, 2023 | 8:00 PM
NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC -Government legislator Kirk Cornish was granted US$9,000 bail on Wednesday after he appeared in court on two counts of rape against a 35-year-old woman.
In addition, Cornish, 48, who on Tuesday was forced to resign as Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, faces two additional counts of assault and threats of death
Justice Gregory Hilton at the Supreme Court in granting bail to Cornish said he is required to report to the police station in Cooper's Town, Abaco once per week
The prosecution said that the crimes allegedly took place in Coopers Town, Abaco, and in Nassau, New Providence, between January 20th and April 4th this year.
Cornish was not required to plead to the allegations when he appeared before the Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley.
The matter has been adjourned to October 17 for presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment.
On Tuesday, police had issued a statement stating that “preliminary reports indicate that around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 7, 2023, a 35-year-old female of SC Bootle Highway reported to police that she was sexually assaulted and threatened by a male known to her.”
Prior to his appearance in court, Cornish released a statement saying the charges are “based on allegations which are totally false.
“I am fully confident that the facts which emerge during the judicial process will prove my innocence. I look forward to ending this nightmare. The facts will show that this was a break up that was manipulated and exploited for political reasons – and nothing more,” he added.
In his statement saying that he had asked Cornish to resign, Prime Minister Phillip Davis said he wanted to “assure the people of North Abaco that efforts to build opportunities and relief in your communities are on the way and will face no interruptions”.
He said that an independent Director of Public Prosecutions has determined that there is sufficient evidence to bring charges against the legislator.
“It is now up to our judicial system to resolve the outcome, so I will not be providing additional comment except to say that my prayers are extended to all who are suffering because of this matter,” Davis said.
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