A jury has freed 37-year-old musician and deejay, Vinton Scott, of Lucea, Hanover, of a rape charge.

He was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in Watson Taylor Park, Lucea, on the night of February 18, 2006.

Evidence was given at the trial before Mr Justice Martin Gayle (acting) and the jury in the Hanover Circuit Court that the complainant and her 17-year-old male friend were in the park when a man dragged her into a building. She was allegedly raped by another man who was later identified as the accused Scott.

The complainant's 17-year-old male friend said he saw the girl being raped, but he was afraid to intervene because he did not know whether if the accused or the other man had "weapons of mass destruction". He said he later saw a police vehicle, made a report to the police and pointed out the the accused, who was running. He was chased and held by the police.

Complainant admitted

Cross-examined by defence lawyer, Sheron Barnes, who represented Scott, the witness and the complainant admitted that the accused had told them to go on doing their thing.

In his defence, Scott said he saw the complainant and the 17-year-old youth having sexual intercourse in the park and told them to go on doing their thing. Sometime later, he told them that he knew their mothers and was going to make a report to them.

He said he ran when he saw a police vehicle approaching because he had some ganja with him. He said he was chased and held by the police. Scott said he gave samples to the police the same night for forensic and DNA tests. He denied committing the offence.

Barnes, in addressing the jury, asked them to take into consideration the fact that no forensic or DNA evidence was presented to the court although the investigating officer said such tests were done, results received and handed to the prosecution. She also referred to the many inconsistencies in the Crown's case.

The jury retired for 23 minutes and found Scott not guilty of rape or carnal abuse.