A rape accused failed to have his 2024 cases dismissed after a magistrate ruled that the allegations were not ‘victimless’ crimes.
Stephon Davidson Freeman, of no fixed address, is accused of having sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent on May 24, 2024. He is also charged with breaking into the woman’s house and stealing an $850 mobile phone, a $120 bag and other belongings on the same date.
Constable Troy Tudor told the court he had not yet received instructions on the case but had spoken to the investigator to “push” to have documents brought before the court.
He asked for an adjournment.
Pointing out that he had been in jail for the past 28 months on the charges, Freeman told the court that he was currently serving a prison sentence for having ammunition and is to be released in 2030.
But the magistrate said: “Matters that don’t have a victim, perhaps the court would be more inclined to dismiss, but these matters have a complainant. Those persons have to feel as though the system is working on their behalf. I don’t feel as though we are at the stage where this matter is to be thrown out because when people believe that justice has not been served, then they may be inclined to take matters into their own hands.
“The time has not yet passed for me to consider dismissing these matters.”
Freeman returns to court on October 8.
(JB)
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