By Tashieka Mair, Star Writer

WESTERN BUREAU

After languishing in jail for the past seven weeks, a St. James man accused of raping his 15-year-old niece was granted bail.

The 42-year-old man was granted $200,000 bail with surety when he appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

Defence attorney Easton Douglas, told RM Wilson Smith that his client had taken care of the complainant from age three, as her parents are dead. He said in the twelve years since she has been in his care, there has been no complainants of any abuse.

Mr. Douglas said this was an act of bitterness on the part of the teen who has been misbehaving and wanting to do as she pleases. He said that on the day in question, her client had reprimanded the teen and this was her way of getting back at him.

"The scepter of malice looms heavily over this case," the lawyer said.

RM Wilson granted bail but said that he was quite concerned about the prevalence of these offences.

The accused is to return to court on September 22.

Allegations outlined in court are that the accused called the teen while she was at school and told her to meet him at home to collect some items. When the child went there, he allegedly began to accuse her of having sex with a young boy in the area.

It is said that he took a machete and demanded that she removed her uniform before sexually assaulting her.<