The son of a prominent pastor has pleaded not guilty to a charge that he indecently assaulted a 13-year-old girl by having her perform fellatio on him.
Donnally Daniel, who is in his early 40s, appeared before the Family Court in Kingstown, on Thursday, where the charge was read to him.
Family Court matters are held in camera because of the sensitive nature of the cases that come before the court and so as to protect the alleged victims.
Daniel is slated to reappear before the court on Sept. 18.
Detective Sergeant Karla Timm of the Major Crime Unit is leading the investigation.
After the arraignment, the accused man exited the court, located on lower Bay Street, Kingstown, in the company of his father, Errol Daniel, a prominent preacher and radio and television evangelist, of “Direction” and Praise FM fame.
A man who told iWitness News that he has been Daniel’s friend since childhood also waited for him for almost two hours outside the court.
Reports are that the complainant alleged that Daniel committed the crime during Sunday morning worship service last Sunday, May 7.
Daniel appeared to be in good spirits after leaving the court and exchanged pleasantries with iWitness News after he was photographed.
In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a person convicted of indecent assault of a child under the age of 13 faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.
Update: This article was updated to correct the circumstances in which the offence was allegedly committed.
A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. if he is found guilty, the book should be thrown at him. He or anyone connected would not tolerate such activities , when their children are involved. No mercy from my end.just saying
Only 5 years in prison for causing trauma to a child […]
Trying to understand why the pastor name is in this article..action should be taken by the pastor for publication…he didn’t or have any reason for his name in this article