A police officer who was once attached the Community Relations Department, the Department which at times is the first line of contact for persons affected by social crimes such as sexually related offences and child abuse, was on Friday remanded to prison after he was charged with incest and rape.
Lennard Benjamin known who is popularly known as “Benjie” found himself on the other side of the law, as a result of an investigation conducted by the police and other relevant agencies following an accusation made by a close family member.
According to the law, incest by a male is defined as sexual intercourse with a female person under thirteen years of age who is by blood relationship his daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt or niece he commits an offence, namely incest, and is liable on conviction on indictment to a term of imprisonment not exceeding thirty years.
With regard to a person having sexual intercourse with a step-child, foster-child, ward or dependant the law said that a person of the age of twenty-one years or over who has sexual intercourse with a person above thirteen years of age when this person is: the adult’s adopted child, step-child, foster child, ward or dependant; or not being the adult’s adopted child foster child, ward or dependant is at the time of the intercourse living with the adult as a member of the family or is under the adult’s care or protection, commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to a term of imprisonment not exceeding twelve years.
Benjamin is set to return to Court in mid August. As a result of facing those charges he is expected to be suspended as a police officer until the outcome of the matter.
by Linda Straker
