Mom of cadet accused of sexual assault wants answers

UPDATE:

THE mother of an 18-year-old cadet sergeant being investigated for sexual assault is calling for clarity, saying her son has been wrongly accused by a 14-year-old junior officer.

He has been accusing of sexually assaulting the girl during an Easter camp this year.

The woman told Newsday her son’s accuser has had a history of sexual promiscuity with other members of the unit, and her story was not corroborated by those of other cadets interviewed.

“This young lady’s story does not check out,” she said.

The woman insists her son is innocent and since the incident was made public, he has become a recluse and refuses to go to hisfinal exams at the secondary school he attends.

“This whole situation has almost destroyed him,” she said.

“My son did not rape anyone, he is a role model and wants to continue his career in the military, but he won’t be able to do that if he is charged. Right now he doesn’t even want to leave the house.”

A source in the Cadet Force said the accuser’s story changed while she was being interviewed by senior officers.

However senior members of the police Child Protection Unit (CPU) said whether the acts were consensual or not, the boy and accomplices may still be charged under the Children Act.

“The ‘Romeo clause’ was put in place for the purpose of protecting minors.

“It states that a teen can be charged with sexual assault if he/ she has sex with someone who is younger than them by more than two years.”

The CPU is still investigating.

ORIGINAL STORY:

THE mother of an 18-year-old Cadet Sergeant being investigated for sexual assault is calling for clarity after she claims her son was wrongly accused by a 14-year-old junior officer.

Speaking with Newsday this morning, the woman said her son's accuser has a history of sexual promiscuity among other members of the unit and added any contact between both teens, was entirely consensual.

She said the accuser's story was not corroborated by other cadets who were interviewed during the investigation. The woman maintains her son is innocent. She says since the incident was made public, her son has become a recluse and refuses to attend final exams at the secondary school he attends.

However, sources within the Child Protection Unit said whether the acts were consensual or not, the teen and his accomplices may still be charged because of a clause under the Child Act, which prohibits sexual contact between teenagers, with an age difference greater than two years.