The men, Lance Corporals Charles ‘Babash’ Bowry (39) and Jamal ‘JP’ Phillip (35), were charged with the Saturday, 19th February, 2011 offence on 24th February, 2011. They were each charged with one count of rape.
MiyVue.com, in an exclusive interview with Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Crime (ACP Crime), Ian Queeley, learnt that the men made an appearance before the Basseterre High Court of Justice where application for bail were made. Their applications, however, did not find favour with the court and were denied.
The alleged incident which led to the arrest of the two officers, took place sometime after 12:00 a.m. on the aforementioned date and information which reached MiyVue.com suggests that a 16-year-old female was forced in a vehicle in which two Defence Force soldiers reportedly travelled after which she was transported to the Fort Thomas Hotel and raped. She was reportedly abandoned somewhere on the outskirts of Basseterre.
In addition to the officers being arrested and charged with the felony, they were, according to a press release issued by their St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF), suspended from active duty pending their trial.
The SKNDF pledged is cooperation with the police in their investigations prior to the officers being charged and have since indicated that they intend to continue along that vein.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.