St Catherine man charged for alleged rape of mentally ill woman

The police in St Catherine on Wednesday charged a 26-year-old man for allegedly taking a mentally ill woman from her home while armed with a machete and then sexually assaulting her.

Nicholas Barnett is charged with abduction, rape, buggery, grievous sexual assault, and unlawful wounding.  

A date is to be set for him to appear in court.

The alleged incident happened in Linstead in the parish on Saturday, March 30.

It is being alleged that the accused, while armed with a machete, entered the woman's house, took her into nearby bushes, and sexually assaulted her.

It is further alleged that the man then used the machete to slap the woman on the head, causing a cut to her face.

Following the alleged ordeal, the man escaped from the scene.

He was held shortly after being pointed out by the complainant.

An investigation was launched into the matter and the man was subsequently arrested.

He was later charged.

- Rasbert Turner

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.