Cop on sex charge granted $.2m bail

SPECIAL Reserve police officer Akeem James was granted $200,000 bail on Wednesday in the Rio Claro magistrates’ court on charges of rape, grievous sexual assault and false imprisonment of a Venezuelan woman.

When he appeared on June 11, the 28-year-old, who has been an SRP for the past seven years, was denied bail by senior magistrate Wendy Dougdeen-Bally. James, of Princes Town, was arrested days before by officers of the Professional Standard Bureau. He is alleged to have committed the crimes between November 23 and 24, 2018 at Fairfield Road, Princes Town, against the 29-year-old woman.

James was not called upon to plead to the charges and was denied bail by the magistrate on the ground that he has a pending matter for taking a person away against her will.Yesterday, James reappeared but before magistrate Rae Roopchan.

Attorney Dane Halls said the present crimes for which James is charged were allegedly committed on dates previous to the one that is pending.Roopchan granted him $200,000 bail to be approved by a clerk of the peace, on condition that he report twice weekly to the police.

James is not to contact the alleged victim directly or through social media.He will reappear on August 7.