Former teacher found not guilty of having sex with 15-year-old
A former teacher of a West Coast Demerara Secondary School was yesterday found not guilty of engaging in sexual activity with one of his former 15-yearold students.
The charge against 33year-old Royden Rankin was that on January 30, 2013, he had sexual activity with a child by abusing a position of trust.
After deliberating for about two hours, a 12member mixed jury returned a not guilty verdict by a majority of 11 to 1.
Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, who presided over the trial, told the former accused that he was free to go but not before sternly reprimanding him about always drawing the line between teacher and student.
According to the judge, “We cannot blame our fifteen-year-olds when they fall victim” in such situations.
Justice Barlow emphasised that it is instead the adults who must take the responsibility to draw the line and not abuse their position of trust.
The proceedings were held in-camera.
Representing Rankin, were attorneys Lyndon Amsterdam and Latoya Roberts.
Meanwhile, the state’s case was presented by prosecutors Siand Dhurjon and Shawnette Austin.