The man for whom the court issued an arrest warrant and the police a wanted bulletin after he was convicted in absentia on Tuesday of raping a 14-year-old girl in November 2021 was nabbed in Chateaubelair on Thursday, trying to take a boat to St. Lucia.
iWitness News was reliably informed that Ronald Samuel aka Ronaldo, 30, of Green Hill, had chartered a speedboat to take him to the neighbouring island.
However, residents of the North Leeward town recognised the wanted man, who fled as they moved to apprehend him.
Samuel ran to the abandoned fisheries complex located close to the wharf and threatened to consume what he said was a toxic substance, a well-placed source told iWitness News.
However, members of the public were able to wrest the substance from him before he could consume it.
He was later arrested by police and taken to prison to await his sentencing, scheduled for July 26.
Samuel has created history by becoming the first person convicted at the High Court of cyberbullying and harassment by electronic communication, contrary to the Cybercrime Act of 2016.
The jury also convicted him of rape, unlawful sexual intercourse and indecent assault of the 14-year-old child. The crimes were committed in 2021.
On Sunday, Director of Public Prosecutions, Sejilla Mc Dowall said the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions-National Prosecution Service (ODPP-NPS) recognised the partnership of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), the media and the public whose contributions assisted in the capture of Samuel.
“This case and many others emphasise that strategic cooperation between law enforcement agencies and society at large produces superior results,” Mc Dowall said in a press release.
“We anticipate such continued cooperation and results in counteraction to the alarming instances of violent and otherwise serious crimes.”
The statement noted that the prosecution was led by Senior Crown Counsel Richie Maitland and supported by Witness Care Officer Police Constable Andrew Telesford of the Witness Care Unit of the ODPP-NPS.
The Sexual Offences Unit of the RSVGPF was the investigative agency and Justice Brian Cottle presided over the trial.
Mc Dowall said the Cybercrime Act was enacted by Parliament to protect persons from the very real harm that can be caused by actions launched in the cyber-world, which ripple into real life.
“In this regard, the prisoner, among other things, used a popular communication platform, to attempt to blackmail the child victim into achieving his perverse desires,” Mc Dowall said, adding that the ODPP-NPS remains committed to prosecuting all crimes.
“We also sound the caution for parents, guardians and custodians to adequately monitor the online activities of children in their care as a buffer against a web of predators.
“We urge all to exercise their civic responsibility to report knowledge or suspicions of the predatory abuse of children to the Sexual Offences Unit of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force at +1784-453-4599. The pursuit of Justice takes a community of efforts,” Mc Dowall said.
Warrant issued for child rapist who absconded as trial ended
Why would you guys put rape like he forcefully put himself on this 14-year-old back in 2021 when it was consent and she lied about her age…!
It would be counted as raoe since she’s below the age of consent. And ilthe manner in which it was done it’s rape not because I have a personal vendetta against the idiot when you wrong you wrong
Natasha Wiggins, were you there when the crime was committed? Secondly, a 14 year old cannot give consent under the law.
Natasha Wiggins, are you saying that the age of consent in 2021 when the crime was committed was different in 2024? The statutory requirement for age of consent at the time of the crime was always under the age of 15 where consent could not be given. Therefore, the other wrinkle is that the perpetrator should have done his due diligence by investigating her age. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Natasha Wiggins it’s always the case when a crime is committed by family member that they always rrivalize the crime and sanitize the criminal. Words like oh he was a good boy . It’s not surprising that you are a relative and is all bent on trivializeing the crime. You obviously in need of vision. Something is wrong with your mode of thinking.
Why you did not consume the gramaxzone? You better off dead. Why you try to flee to another jurisdiction? Where is Natasha Wiggins when you needed her?