Judge raises concerns over timetable for rape trial

(CNS): A visiting judge raised his concerns on Friday over the scheduling of a rapetrial involving a young witness. Acting Justice Michael Mettyear asked the crown to seek an earlier trial date when he learned that a man accused of seven counts of rape on a young girl would not face the courts until July next year, despite there being a young witness involved. The judge said it was undesirable for a young witness to be left hanging for so long before having to give evidence in such a serious case. Carlos Tibbetts from Cayman Brac is charged with seven counts of rape that took place over a four year period.

According to the particulars of the case, Tibbetts is accused of raping his victim for the first time when she was only 12 years old. The young girl is now 16 and the judge noted that there was a need for the case to be brought forward.

As a result of the packed trial agenda in Grand Court, defendants not in custody currently have a more than ten month wait for trial dates. However, in this case the judge told crown counsel to contact the listings officer and seek an earlier date because of the sensitivity of the case. In the meantime, Tibbetts, who pleaded not guilty to all seven counts of rape, was bailed to reappear for his five day trial, which is currently set for 8 July 2013.