Western Jamaica Pastor Rose Offered $300K Bail For Rape

June 15, 2021 | Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie |

A pastor who it is alleged  to have raped a 15 year old girl at his church has been charged and is in custody in Western Jamaica.  He has been offered bail in the sum of three hundred thousand (JA $300,000) dollars.

It was an in camera hearing.  Being an in camera hearing,  it means media coverage is restricted.

Wife Arrested

Pastor Rose’s wife has since been arrested and slapped with a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Mother Of Rape Victim

The mother of the 15 year old rape victim has also been arrested and charged along with Mrs. Rose also for plotting to pervert the course of justice.

Police Reports

The police has reported that the pastor’s wife and the child’s mother both went to the police station with the rape victim with the intent to have the little girl change her statement.

They were both charge after an interview with the rape victim. They are accused of pressuring the victim to change her statement which is an illegal act.

Rape Victim

The rape victim has been taken into state care as a result of her mother being criminally charged for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

No further details are available.

Commentary

A number of pastors have been arrested in recent times for sex related offences in Jamaica. Mostly with under aged girls.

You recall one Pastor Rupert Clarke who is serving 8 years for raping two under aged sisters in St. Elizabeth parish, in Western Jamaica W.I.

Trust

The betrayal of trust is serious. To prey on vulnerable young girls is disgraceful, disgusting, despicable and demeaning to say the least.

We condemn such conduct, especially from persons in a position of trust. Of all persons, Pastors who preach the gospel.

We note that all are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is a veteran journalist who has daughters. He has a keen interest in fairplay, decency and probity in public life.